Lavaca County court roundup: road reopenings, reimbursements, proclamations and contracts approved

Lavaca County Commissioners Court approved a string of routine but consequential items on April 28, covering road access for energy traffic, reimbursements for road repairs, local proclamations, contracts for jail commissary services and internet upgrades, and a range of procurement and administrative actions.

The court approved reopening County Road 340 for overweight oilfield traffic at the request of a commissioner, accepted reimbursement of $234,000 from Kinder Morgan for road repairs to Precinct 2 road and bridge account 30240008266, and voted to remove a 0.22-acre tract (formerly County Road 391) from the county road roll and return it to the tax rolls via quitclaim deed. The court also approved proclamations declaring May 4–10, 2025 as National Correctional Officers Week and May 11–17, 2025 as National Police Week.

Other approved items included awarding a one-year renewed contract to Lone Star Commissary for inmate commissary services at the Lavaca County Jail, and authorizing upgraded internet service (from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps) with AT&T for sheriff's office and annex facilities. The county's fiscal year 2024 annual financial report, presented by audit partner Wade Whitlow of KML, was accepted with an unmodified (clean) opinion; auditors noted no material deficiencies and warned that large federal awards could trigger single-audit requirements in future fiscal years if expenditures exceed federal thresholds.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Reopen Lavaca County Road 340 for overweight oilfield traffic. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 3; second by Commissioner, Precinct 4. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Accept reimbursement from Kinder Morgan for county road repairs, Precinct 2 Road & Bridge account 30240008266, $234,000. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 2; second by Commissioner, Precinct 1. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approve disposition of real property formerly known as County Road 391: a 0.22-acre tract in Sweet Home via quitclaim deed (additional 0.65-acre tract to be considered at a later meeting). Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 3; second by Commissioner, Precinct 4. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Proclaim May 4–10, 2025 as National Correctional Officers Week. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 3; second by Commissioner, Precinct 1. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Proclaim May 11–17, 2025 as National Police Week. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 4; second by Commissioner, Precinct 3. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Award one-year contract to Lone Star Commissary for Lavaca County Jail commissary services. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 4; second by Commissioner, Precinct 3. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Accept Lavaca County Fiscal Year 2024 annual financial report (KML). Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 1; second by Commissioner, Precinct 2. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approve internet contract with AT&T to upgrade speeds (annex and sheriff's office). Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 3; second by Commissioner, Precinct 4. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approve advertising for bids to replace courthouse boiler and for concrete and labor projects in Precincts 1, 2 and 3. Motions made and seconded; outcomes: approved (voice votes).

- Approve certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for Gilbert Henneke (sale of 2 acres from 7-acre tract on US-77). Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 1; second by Commissioner, Precinct 2. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approve realignment of volunteer fire department coverage map to include a new EZL Volunteer Fire Department district (maps approved). Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 4; second by Commissioner, Precinct 3. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approve elections office remodel at the annex to expand early-voting room and reassign offices. Motion by Commissioner, Precinct 3; second by Commissioner, Precinct 1. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Routine and consent items

The court moved multiple other routine items through the consent agenda by single motion, including hiring acknowledgements, bonds, and procurement advertising. A subdivision application (Reininger Family Living Trust) was tabled for further review.

Ending

Court scheduled a GLO grant kickoff workshop at 1 p.m. the same day (no decisions expected) and set its next regular meeting for May 12, 2025, at 10 a.m.