Commissioners approve contract termination wrap-up, equipment purchases and election equipment fee policy

At the Limestone County Commissioners Court meeting, the court handled multiple routine but consequential administrative decisions.

Contract termination and wrap-up: A commissioner moved to terminate the county's contract with the collection vendor (referred to in the transcript as the county's collection contractor) and permit the vendor up to six months to complete active cases after a 60-day notice period. County legal counsel described that on termination the vendor would finish any cases already initiated but would not accept new work. The motion passed after discussion; the court directed staff to issue the required notice and to track completion of outstanding files.

Election equipment fee policy: Staff reviewed a proposed fee schedule tied to the Texas Election Code for entities that lease county-owned election equipment. The court endorsed a structure the clerk recommended: 1% of fees for entities that contract with the county and appear on the county ballot (using 14 vote centers) and 5% for entities running their own single polling-place election. Commissioners discussed that fee revenue would be returned to an equipment maintenance line and approved the policy.

Capital purchases and budget adjustments: Public-works staff described needs for a man-lift (to service roof-mounted HVAC and jail lift stations) and other specialty equipment, including a drum roller and a John Deere tractor with mower. Cost estimates discussed included figures around $100,172 for a man-lift and additional line-item adjustments to the equipment budget. Commissioners moved and approved purchases and budget allocations to acquire the equipment, noting lead times of 18—24 months for some items.

Subdivision replat and ambulance grant: The court approved a request to combine two lots (lots 19 and 21) into one in the David Todd Lincoln subdivision. Separately, a hospital representative and commissioners discussed applying for a rural ambulance service grant; commissioners indicated support to apply and discussed splitting costs if a grant required matching funds.

Outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes include a motion to terminate the collection contract with a 60-day notice and up to a six-month wrap-up period (motion carried), adoption of the election equipment fee schedule (motion carried), approval of equipment purchases and budget adjustments (motions carried), and approval of the subdivision lot combination (motion carried). Several items will require follow-up by county staff for notice, procurement, and future budget planning.