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Wilson County commissioners approve EEOC settlement, holiday decorations, meal-grant resolution and inmate-housing agreement
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting the Wilson County Commissioners Court approved a $35,000 EEOC settlement to be paid by insurance, granted a city request to decorate courthouse grounds for the holidays, authorized a county grant resolution for home-delivered meals, approved an interlocal inmate‑housing agreement with Gonzales County (subject to attorney review), and authorized payment of county bills.
Wilson County Commissioners Court convened Nov. 12, 2024, and approved a series of administrative actions, including a $35,000 settlement in a 2019 EEOC employment lawsuit, a request from the City of Forestville to place holiday decorations on courthouse grounds, a county resolution to participate in the Texans Feeding Texans home-delivered meal program, and an interlocal agreement to house inmates for Gonzales County pending legal review.
The court discussed and approved a settlement in Gomez v. Wilson County, a federal EEOC lawsuit filed in 2019. Evelyn, a county staff member, told commissioners that the EEOC did not take action and the former employee filed in federal court; the parties reached an agreement at mediation and the liability insurer will pay the settlement at no cost to the county. Evelyn corrected an earlier figure and said the settlement amount is "$35,000, not $34,000." Commissioner King moved to approve the settlement; Commissioner Perdola seconded and the judge announced the motion passed.
John Boya, speaking for the City of Forestville, asked permission to place a large Christmas tree and decorations on the courthouse grounds beginning the week of Nov. 18, 2024, with removal the week of Jan. 13, 2025. Staff cautioned the city to avoid newly installed sprinkler lines and to coordinate the tree lighting planned for Nov. 30 at about 7 p.m. Commissioner Perdola moved to approve the request; Commissioner King seconded and the court approved the permit.
The court also approved a resolution authorizing the county's participation in the 2025 "Texans Feeding Texans" home-delivered meal grant program, which county staff said is administered as part of the county Meals on Wheels activities. The county's annual contribution discussed during the meeting was stated as $1,200. Commissioner Perdola moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Aiken seconded and the motion passed.
Sheriff Jim Stewart described a proposed interlocal agreement with Gonzales County to house inmates. Stewart said Gonzales County currently operates a 96-person jail and sometimes houses inmates in other counties; he said Wilson County has available capacity and the draft agreement sets a housing rate near $65 per day. The court agreed to approve the interlocal agreement "contingent on approval by the county attorney's office," after a motion by Commissioner Martin and second by Commissioner King.
County auditor Brenda Trevenia presented the county bills for payment. The amount discussed in the record included a small numeric discrepancy; the packet figure presented and acted on was $661,308.38. Commissioner Aiken moved to pay the bills, Commissioner Perdola seconded, and the court approved payment.
Other routine business included acceptance of prior court minutes (with one commissioner noting an abstention from the Oct. 29 minutes because they were not present) and administrative reports from extension staff and human resources. The court adjourned at 9:28 a.m.
What happens next: settlement paperwork will proceed with insurer payment per the staff explanation; the interlocal agreement will be finalized after county‑attorney review; the city will coordinate holiday installations with county facilities staff.
