Lubbock County commissioners approve consent items, contracts and settlement; payments total $15.4 million

Lubbock County Commissioners Court on Monday approved a series of routine and substantive items, including minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting, budget transfers and amendments, payment of $15,407,047 in claims, several professional services contracts and a compromise settlement to complete the Juvenile Justice Center academic addition.

The approvals came at the court's regular session after a brief public comment period and included authorization for the county judge to sign contracts with a vehicle dealer, a psychologist for sheriff's office evaluations, an insurance brokerage and a psychiatric services provider for the juvenile detention facility. The court also authorized a settlement agreement with OPREX to complete the academic addition at the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center.

Why it matters: The votes move forward contracts and a construction settlement that officials said will expand services for juveniles in county custody, update employee benefit procurement and allow a dealer deputy agreement for a local dealership. The court also authorized payment of more than $15 million in county claims, a central component of county financial operations.

Most important actions

- Minutes: The court approved minutes from the regular meeting dated Feb. 10, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Shaw. Motion carried.

- Budget transfers and amendments: Auditor's office-presented line-item transfers and $79,000 in budget amendments were approved after staff presentation. Motion by Commissioner Ratclar; second by Commissioner Dolby. Motion carried.

- Payment of claims: The court approved payment of claims totaling $15,407,047. Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Dauby. Motion carried.

- Consent agenda (items 4–11): The court approved consent agenda items 4 through 11 after a commissioner pulled item 8 for brief clarification and then moved the full consent. Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Shaw. Motion carried.

- Dealer deputy agreement: The court authorized the county judge to sign a dealer deputy agreement with SBCRCM LP doing business as Mercedes-Benz of Lubbock, allowing the dealer to submit titles and issue plates under the county's dealer-deputy program. Motion by Commissioner Shaw; second by Commissioner Rackler. Motion carried.

- Professional services (psychological evaluations): The court authorized the county judge to sign a professional services agreement with Dr. Vanessa Cocolisle, a licensed psychologist, to provide psychological evaluations for pre-employment, academy pre-enrollment and fit-for-duty assessments for the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Rackler. Motion carried.

- Employment benefits broker: The court authorized the county judge to sign an employment benefits broker agreement with McGriff, now part of Marsh McLennan, noting the broker fee increased from $65,000 to $75,000 under the new ownership structure. Commissioners asked about contract language that offsets fees if the broker receives commissions; staff confirmed that language is included. Motion by Commissioner Rackler; second by Commissioner Shaw. Motion carried.

- Psychiatric crisis evaluations at juvenile center: The court authorized an agreement with StarCare Specialty Health Systems to provide psychiatric crisis evaluations and medication management services at the Lubbock County Juvenile Justice Center for pre-adjudicated youth. Motion by Commissioner Dolby; second by Commissioner Rackler. Motion carried.

- Compromise settlement (OPREX): The court authorized the county judge to sign a compromise settlement agreement with OPREX to complete the Juvenile Justice Center academic addition. Court members praised the new classrooms and staff said the addition keeps students indoors during extreme cold; staff and counsel credited OPREX and county facilities staff for completing the project. Motion by Judge Parrish; second by Commissioner Shaw. Motion carried.

Other details and background

Auditor's office staff presented line-item transfers and budget amendments totaling $79,000. The court approved payment of claims for $15,407,047; the auditor's office presented the claims amount and asked for approval.

County staff described the dealer-deputy program as an existing arrangement (Gene Messer Auto Group was noted earlier as a county dealer deputy) and said Mercedes-Benz of Lubbock would be added as another dealer with the authority to process titles and issue plates under county oversight.

The McGriff agreement covers brokerage services for medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, stop-loss and life insurance programs. Staff said the fee increase reflects McGriff’s acquisition by Marsh McLennan and that contract language requires fee reductions if commissions are received.

StarCare representatives said the agreement extends services the county already receives at the adult detention center to the juvenile justice facility to meet crisis-evaluation and medication-management needs for youth in pre-adjudication custody.

The OPREX compromise settlement was presented as the final administrative step to close out the academic addition project at the juvenile center; staff and commissioners said the facility will allow classes to remain inside during extreme weather.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes (Feb. 10, 2025): Approved (motion carried) - Budget transfers/amendments: Approved (motion carried) - Payment of claims ($15,407,047): Approved (motion carried) - Consent items 4–11 (including item 8): Approved (motion carried) - Dealer deputy agreement (Mercedes-Benz of Lubbock): Authorized (motion carried) - Professional services agreement (Dr. Vanessa Cocolisle): Authorized (motion carried) - Employment benefits broker (McGriff / Marsh McLennan): Authorized, fee increased to $75,000 (motion carried) - StarCare psychiatric evaluation services (Juvenile Justice Center): Authorized (motion carried) - Compromise settlement with OPREX (Juvenile Justice Center academic addition): Authorized (motion carried)

What the court did not do

The court did not provide detailed line-item breakdowns in the meeting for each contract's total dollar value (except where staff stated the McGriff fee change and the payment-of-claims total). Several items were presented by staff with limited discussion and approved as presented.

Ending

The court moved briefly into executive session consistent with Texas Government Code chapters cited on the agenda and reconvened before adjourning at 11:01 a.m.