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Grimes County approves participation in federal 1033 program and accepts MRAP; approves pay for patrol lieutenant's unused holiday hours
Summary
The Grimes County Commissioners Court voted to allow the sheriff’s office to participate in the federal 10 U.S.C. § 2576a (commonly called the 1033/10.33 program) program, accepted a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) acquired through the program and approved payment for unused holiday hours for a patrol lieutenant.
The Grimes County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26 voted to authorize the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office to participate in the Texas 10.33 program and accepted an MRAP vehicle the department acquired through that program.
Chief Deputy Martha Smith of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office told the court the agency went through the application process beginning in October 2024 and was approved. The vehicle — described by the sheriff’s office as a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle suited for high-threat or complex rescue operations — was obtained from McLennan County. Smith said the department will be responsible for maintenance while it is in the county’s custody and noted the vehicle could be used for water rescues, hostage or barricade events and similar emergencies.
County Attorney Megan Barczyk confirmed the court needed to accept the vehicle formally because the county bears maintenance responsibility.
The court also approved a separate request from the sheriff’s office to pay 28 hours of unused holiday time to Patrol Lieutenant Brockett at his pre-promotion (sergeant) rate. Chief Deputy Smith explained that when Brockett moved from a 12-hour to an 8-hour schedule as part of a promotion, his holiday-observation rules changed; he had 28 holiday hours remaining that were not used and would be lost without payout.
Why it matters: Acceptance of surplus military-style vehicles and the county’s maintenance responsibilities were discussed before the vote, and commissioners recorded formal approval that transfers care responsibility for the vehicle to the county. The lieutenant pay decision affects the sheriff’s department payroll and was funded from department hourly line items as authorized by the court.
Court action and votes: The court voted to approve participation in the Texas 10.33 program and to accept and authorize possession/maintenance of the MRAP. The court then approved payment of the lieutenant’s 28 unused holiday hours to be funded from sheriff department budgets. Commissioners voted unanimously on the motions.
Officials and participants: Chief Deputy Martha Smith presented the 10.33 approval and MRAP acceptance; County Attorney Megan Barczyk advised on legal acceptance language. The motions were moved and seconded and passed by an affirmative vote of the full court.
