Commissioners approve interlocal agreements with Howe and others for road rebuilds and brush cutting after public comment
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Summary
The court approved several interlocal agreements with cities including Howe for road rebuilds and brush cutting and approved a consent-item interlocal with Whitesboro to apply MC-30 primer oil; a public commenter asked how such agreements affect county road maintenance priorities.
A series of interlocal agreements between Grayson County and nearby cities won approval from the Commissioners Court on March 11, including agreements with the city of Howe for road rebuild work and brush cutting and a consent-item agreement with the city of Whitesboro to distribute MC-30 primer oil on city streets.
Bridal Wilson, who identified himself as a resident of Wallowa, spoke during public comment to ask how interlocal agreements affect county road priorities and maintenance funding. "My understanding is that the county budget is set for county roads," Wilson said. He urged the court to consider whether agreements that let cities use county labor and equipment reduce the county's ability to fix county-owned roads that are impassable for emergency vehicles.
Commissioners responded that the interlocal agreements generally cover materials and equipment costs billed to the cities, while county forces provide labor and equipment operation; county officials emphasized that county roads remain the first priority. "We obviously take care of our county roads first. We have a schedule we go by. The cities, if they're in the route, we'll take their stuff," Commissioner Arthur said, describing the agreements as a way for small cities without equipment to obtain needed repairs more economically.
The court approved item 9.8 — a set of interlocal agreements (listed on the record as several agreement numbers including 2025-006, 2025-008, 2025-009, 2025-012, 2025-013) between Grayson County and the city of Howe for road rebuilds — on a motion by Commissioner Marsh and a second by Commissioner Wright. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 9.9, an interlocal agreement between Grayson County and the city of Howe for brush cutting on Smith Road to prepare the right-of-way for repairs, also passed unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Marsh and a second by Commissioner Arthur.
From the consent agenda, the court approved a request for an interlocal agreement with the city of Whitesboro to distribute MC-30 primer oil on various city streets; that consent item (7.2 moved to action) passed on a motion by Commissioner Wright and a second by Commissioner Arthur.
County officials noted that while materials and equipment expenses are reimbursed, the county absorbs the labor costs and must balance those requests against its county road schedule. Commissioner Arthur said smaller cities paying for materials can be beneficial to county residents but acknowledged the need to prioritize county-maintained roads.
The court did not adopt any countywide policy change to restrict interlocal agreements at this meeting; commissioners said they use the agreements selectively and often late in the fiscal year when schedules allow.
