Burleson County commissioners approve grant applications, indigent-defense contracts and subdivision replat

Burleson County Judge Keith Schroeder and the four county commissioners on Jan. 10 approved a series of administrative actions, including resolutions to apply for three grants through the Texas Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, contracts for indigent-defense counsel and local land-use and utility requests.

The moves were unanimous. Commissioner Vincent Svec made the initial consent-agenda motion, Commissioner Dwayne Faust seconded it and the court approved adoption of the December 2021 minutes and acceptance of two donations: $250 on behalf of the Burleson Health Resource Center and $105 for the Burleson County Rainbow Room.

Why it matters: The court’s approvals will allow county officials to seek state grant funds for law-enforcement equipment and victim services and finalize local legal and land-use arrangements needed for county operations.

The court authorized three grant applications to the Office of the Governor – Public Safety Office’s Criminal Justice Division. Commissioner David Hildebrand moved and Commissioner Carol Hill seconded a resolution to apply for the BG-Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program (FY2023); the record states that program lists no minimum award and requires no local match. Commissioner Dwayne Faust moved and Commissioner Hill seconded approval to apply through the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) for the General Victim Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) FY2023; the court recorded a $10,000 minimum award and a 20% match requirement. Commissioner Vincent Svec moved and Commissioner Hildebrand seconded a resolution to apply for the Criminal Justice Grant Program (CJ) FY2023; a $10,000 minimum was noted and no match requirement was reported. All motions passed with the court voting unanimously.

The court also approved contracts for representation of indigent defendants in district court with attorneys Trey Dunne, Wesley Keng and Bruno Shimek after a motion by Commissioner David Hildebrand and a second by Commissioner Carol Hill. Commissioners also approved a policy manual revision (Section 2.01b) adding Paid Quarantine Leave for peace officers and detention officers, citing Local Government Code 180.008 as the authority for the change.

On land-use and utilities, the court approved the replat of Bria Bend Subdivision and authorized the Deanville Water Supply Corporation to install a proposed water line within the county right-of-way on County Road 127. Commissioner Carol Hill moved to approve the replat and Commissioner Vincent Svec seconded; Commissioner Dwayne Faust moved the water-line authorization and Commissioner David Hildebrand seconded. Both motions passed unanimously.

Routine reports: Sheriff Hermes reported the jail population at 56 inmates, noting two male and two female inmates were from neighboring Milam County. Judge Schroeder reported December 2021 collections of misdemeanor fees totaling $6,627 and felony fees totaling $9,595. The auditor gave no report. Commissioner Vincent Svec said county road crews had been short-staffed recently because several employees were ill but that repair work was resuming.

The court approved and authorized payment of county bills following a motion by Commissioner David Hildebrand and a second by Commissioner Carol Hill. The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote; a workshop on proposed subdivision rules and an optional GrantWorks presentation on ARPA SLFRF funding were announced for follow-up.

The court’s recorded actions were procedural approvals to pursue grant funding, authorize contracts and adopt local administrative and land-use items; no contested votes or public comments were recorded in the transcript.