Henderson County approves refunds, appointments, grant applications and $270,563.59 in bills

The Henderson County Commissioner's Court met at 09:02 and approved a series of routine and public-safety items, including tax refunds, an appointment to the Andrews Center board, grant applications to outfit officers with ballistic protection and payment of county bills.

The court approved two refund checks requested by the Henderson County Tax Assessor-Collector totaling $70,583.60. Commissioner McCam moved to approve the refunds; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The court appointed Sheriff Bodie Hillhouse to position No. 10 on the Andrews Center Board of Trustees, a term ending Oct. 31, 2027. The judge explained that bylaws had been changed roughly four months earlier to add two sheriff positions and expand the board from nine to eleven members. Commissioner Tooley moved the appointment; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The court authorized two grant applications related to law-enforcement safety. First, it approved applying for the FY2026 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, a grant that has been used by the county previously and covers 50% of vest costs for the sheriff’s office; Commissioner Spivey moved and Commissioner McCam seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Second, the court approved applying for FY2026 funding to outfit law-enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant components (including windshields). Staff said there is no local match required for that program and awards can be up to $5,000,000; the court voted unanimously to apply after Commissioner Richardson moved and Commissioner Tooley seconded.

The court approved the purchase of one taser for Constable Ford from the Justice of the Peace Security Fund. Staff reported about $30,000 in the JP Security Fund and that several constables had been queried about interest; the court approved buying the single taser requested. Commissioner Ritchson moved and Commissioner McCam seconded; the motion passed unanimously. During discussion, commissioners and staff asked about battery life (a five-year life was mentioned) and whether certification/training requirements had been satisfied.

On county finances, Miss Carpenter presented fiscal-year 2025 bills. The transcript records an initial figure of $250,563.59 presented by staff and later a motion to approve bills in the amount of $270,563.59; Commissioner Richardson moved to approve $270,563.59 and Commissioner Spivey seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Other agenda items — financial reports, payroll distributions, submitted contracts, right-of-way permits, plats and bids — were reported as none or not submitted. The court adjourned at 09:18 by unanimous vote.

Motion and vote details summarized in this article reflect the motions and tallies recorded on the meeting record.