Shaw County commissioners approve consent agenda, reappoint TIF board members and amend auditor salaries; no burn ban enacted

Shaw County Commissioners Court approved its consent agenda and routine financial items, reappointed county commissioners to two Wichita Falls Tax Increment Finance (TIF) boards, amended County Auditor salary allocations and declined to impose a burn ban at its Jan. 20, 2026 meeting.

The court opened with prayer and pledges before taking public comments. Citizens reported on local matters including completion of a new fence at Precinct 4, progress reopening Burnett Ranch Road northwest of Iowa Park to improve emergency access, and the upcoming move of the Justice of the Peace office to 108 East Williams in Burkburnett.

Clerk/administration staff summarized three information-technology consent items that were approved as part of the 10-item consent package: replacement of server backup services, implementation of SD‑WAN optimization to better utilize dual internet connections, and device encryption for high-risk laptops. Commissioner Pincannon moved to approve the consent agenda; Commissioner Beauchamp seconded and the motion carried 5-0.

The court then authorized payment of routine bills and payroll disbursements, ratified the Jan. 13 regular-session minutes, and took several appointments to boards. The court approved the reappointment of a commissioner (named in the record for TIF No. 3) to the Wichita Falls TIF No. 3 board for a term through Dec. 31, 2027; the motion (moved by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner Mahler) carried with four ayes and one abstention (Commissioner Beauchamp). The court also reappointed Commissioner Jeff Watts to Wichita Falls TIF No. 4 for a term ending Dec. 31, 2027; that motion (moved by Commissioner Pincannon, seconded by Commissioner Mahler) passed with four ayes and one abstention by Commissioner Watts.

On personnel and budgeting, county staff explained that Glenda Reeser — who "has been with the county 18 years, and she will be retiring at the end of this month" — prompted an internal reallocation of salary lines within Department 495 to retain staffing capacity. The court approved the amendment to Department 495 maximum salaries as presented; the district judges had previously voted to approve the adjustment. The motion carried 5-0.

Members also discussed whether to impose a burn ban amid rising regional fire-danger indicators. A county official summarized feedback from county fire chiefs and recent KDPI readings, and recommended postponing a ban while monitoring weather forecasts. As one commissioner put it during discussion, “the burn ban doesn't stop fires. It just brings attention to it.” The court took no action to enact a burn ban and agreed to revisit the matter next week if conditions change.

The court received a status update on courthouse and annex projects, including ongoing security work and HVAC projects. Court staff said the Burke Annex JP office will close later this month and move to the new address. Commissioners agreed to start placing renovation updates on Friday sessions beginning next week. The court adjourned at 10:24 a.m.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — approved (motion by Commissioner Pincannon; seconded by Commissioner Beauchamp) — motion carries 5-0. Bills and payroll authorization — approved — motion carries 5-0. Minutes (01/13/2026) — approved — motion carries 5-0. Wichita Falls TIF No. 3 reappointment — approved (mover: Commissioner Watts; seconder: Commissioner Mahler) — 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Commissioner Beauchamp). Wichita Falls TIF No. 4 reappointment — approved (mover: Commissioner Pincannon; seconder: Commissioner Mahler) — 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Commissioner Watts). Department 495 salary amendment — approved (mover: Commissioner Mahler; seconder: Commissioner Beauchamp) — motion carries 5-0.

Next steps: The court will monitor KDPI and weather forecasts before reconsidering a burn ban and plans to move renovation updates to Friday sessions beginning next week.