Van Zandt County Commissioners Court voted Dec. 5 to authorize holiday lights and decorations on the county courthouse grounds and to set aside up to $17,000 from the county’s economic development line item to pay for installation.

The court’s discussion opened with Speaker 3 citing a Texas Attorney General opinion and Local Government Code §381.004, saying that the opinion concluded a commissioners court "may expend county funds on holiday lights and decorations on county buildings and facilities," while advising against actions that would establish a particular religion. The presiding official noted a nativity scene owned by the county had already been delivered and set up.

The matter reached the court on an expedited timeline after Main Street, the group that normally handles decorations, said it lacked funds for this year’s parade. The presiding official set the parade for "next weekend, thirteenth," and staff reported that vendor quotes had come in and additional bids were expected Monday. Speaker 4 said the current quotes were "in the range of 13 to 17" (thousand dollars) to wrap trees, install wreaths around poles and add lighting around the courthouse.

Speaker 3 moved "to authorize holiday lights being installed in the courthouse grounds," specifying that the motion covered Christmas, festival and Hanukkah displays; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The court then discussed which budget code should pay for the work, identifying two options: 010510550 (building and grounds) and O104098800 (general non-departmental). Speakers debated leasing versus buying lights, noting leasing shifts maintenance and storage responsibility to the vendor while buying would require storage and county asset accounting.

With vendor bids in hand and a tight installation deadline, Speaker 4 moved to "take the 17,000 budget from the economic development" fund to cover charges for the holiday lights on the courthouse grounds. The motion included forming a small selection committee—Keegan, Cliff and Speaker 4—with the auditor involved. The court voted in favor; the motion passed by voice vote. The presiding official said the committee would select the vendor so no additional special meeting would be required.

The court adjourned at 3:17 p.m.

What happens next: the vendor-selection committee will review incoming bids (two additional quotes were expected the Monday after the meeting) and choose a vendor who can complete installation by the Friday before the parade; the court limited the appropriation to a maximum of $17,000 and asked staff to confirm the final line item before payment.