Hays County commissioners adopt elections resolution, approve contracts, budget and staffing actions

Hays County Commissioners Court on Jan. 28 adopted a resolution opposing state action to eliminate countywide polling places and electronic poll books and voted on a slate of contracts, budget amendments, staffing regrades and proclamations.

The court passed the elections resolution after several public speakers urged preserving countywide voting and electronic poll books; Hays County Elections Administrator Jennifer Doinoff told the court the county has used the program since 2019 and that 99 Texas counties now participate. The vote was unanimous: Commissioners Hammer, Smith, Cohen and Judge Becerra all voted yes.

The court also adopted proclamations recognizing January 2025 as National Crime Stoppers Month and Jan. 29–Feb. 2, 2025, as National Job Corps Groundhog Week, approved multiple contract awards and change orders, authorized budget amendments, approved personnel regrades, and authorized new and renewed interlocal agreements and program contracts. A consent block of routine items (G1–G40, G42) was approved by roll call.

Why it matters: The elections resolution is intended to preserve the county’s use of vote centers and electronic poll books, which county officials and local party representatives said reduced provisional ballots and offered voters on-election-day flexibility. Several of the other items—transportation and road-design contracts, youth and mental-health contracts, and workforce training—affect county service delivery and capital projects funded by prior voter-approved measures and grants.

Key votes…