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Hardin County Commissioners approve a slate of budget amendments, contracts and appointments; direct wildfire protection planning
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Summary
At its Feb. 11, 2025 meeting at the Hardin County Courthouse, the Commissioners Court approved routine minutes, several budget amendments, contract amendments for a hurricane safe room, authorized vehicle purchases and a surplus transfer, appointed a crime victims project director, and directed staff to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Hardin County Commissioners Court on Feb. 11, 2025, approved a series of routine and programmatic actions including budget amendments, contract amendments for a federally funded safe room project, equipment purchases funded by rural law enforcement grants and the appointment of a grant-funded project director.
The meeting, convened at 10 a.m. in the Hardin County Courthouse commissioners courtroom and called to order by County Judge Wayne McDaniel, was attended by Commissioners L.W. “Nubbin” Cooper Jr. (Pct. 1), Chris Kirkendall (Pct. 2), Amanda Young (Pct. 3) and Ernie Koch (Pct. 4), and Hardin County Clerk Connie Becton. The court approved minutes from Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, canceled registered claims from Jan. 28 at the request of County Treasurer Deborah McWilliams, and authorized payment of county bills as presented by County Auditor Angela Gore.
A resolution (Resolution 7-25) proclaiming February 2025 as Veterans Month and supporting the Southeast Texas Stand Down for Veterans event on Feb. 28, 2025, was adopted unanimously after being presented by Veterans Services Officer Kristen White.
On emergency-preparedness planning, Commissioner Chris Kirkendall led discussion on wildfire risk and the potential Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG). The court voted to move forward immediately with development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and defer applying for the CWDG until next year.
Personnel and program actions included approval of Lisa Nix as Hardin County Crime Victims Assistance Center Project Director effective Feb. 11, 2025, at an annual salary of $53,560, a position identified in the meeting record as 100% grant funded.
Law-enforcement and equipment items approved included: authorization to sell a surplus 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV to Hardin County Emergency Services District No. 1 for $1,000 pursuant to § 263.152 of the Texas Local Government Code; and approval to purchase three 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab PPV trucks from Lake Country Chevrolet for a total of $223,170 using Rural Law Enforcement Grants (SB-22).
The court also authorized Amendment 4 to an interlocal cooperation contract with Spindletop Center to support a Mental Health Liaison Program at the sheriff’s request, and approved a set of amendments associated with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (DR-4332-0233) for the Hurricane Safe Room project, including an architectural-services amendment with The Labiche Architectural Group, Inc. and a construction amendment with N&T Construction, Inc.
Procurement actions included rescinding prior authority to solicit bids for Emergency/Disaster Debris Removal and Debris Monitoring and instead authorizing solicitation of proposals; an evaluation committee (Aaron Tupper, Clay Woodward and Commissioner Amanda Young) was appointed. The court awarded repairs to two drainage culvert crossings on Cooks Lake Road (Precinct 4) to LZ Services based on a recommendation from Leavins Engineering & Design.
Budget amendments approved included adjustments related to a retention stipend (FY2024), recognition of additional revenue from equipment sales in Road & Bridge Precinct 2 (sale proceeds of $8,002 and $5,546 in two separate actions), and creation of a new insurance-proceeds revenue line of $3,420 applied to auto maintenance/repairs. Health Director Sharon Whitley received approval to reallocate salary charges between General Fund and grant funds because of a delay in expected NEHA/FDA grant funding, producing a $1,684 General Fund savings for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The court accepted the 2024 racial profiling reports submitted by the county sheriff (Hon. Mark Davis) and constables from precincts 1–6 for filing in the minutes, and authorized the County Judge to execute a Memorandum of Understanding renewal between Hardin County Health Services and Lumberton Municipal Utility District to dispense medications in a county-wide mass prophylaxis operation.
All motions listed in the meeting record passed unanimously, and the court adjourned following open reports from elected officials and department heads. The court signed routine minutes and the meeting was closed by motion of Commissioner Chris Kirkendall, seconded by Commissioner Amanda Young.
Votes at a glance (each approved unanimously unless noted): - Approval of Jan. 28 and Feb. 3 minutes (motion: Commissioner Amanda Young; second: Commissioner Ernie Koch). - Cancel registered claims from Jan. 28 and accept cash statement (requested by County Treasurer Deborah McWilliams). - Payment of county bills (presented by County Auditor Angela Gore). - Resolution 7-25 proclaiming February 2025 Veterans Month (presented by Kristen White). - Direction to develop Community Wildfire Protection Plan (mover: Commissioner Chris Kirkendall). - Appointment of Lisa Nix as Crime Victims Assistance Center Project Director (mover: Commissioner Chris Kirkendall; second: Commissioner Amanda Young). Salary: $53,560 (100% grant funded). - Authorization for Texas Independence Day fireworks sales Feb. 25–Mar. 2, 2025. - Acceptance of 2024 racial profiling reports from the sheriff and constables for filing in the minutes. - Approval of Amendment 4 to the interlocal with Spindletop Center (requested by Sheriff Mark Davis). - Sale of a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe to Hardin County ESD No. 1 for $1,000 (pursuant to § 263.152, Local Government Code). - Purchase of three 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks for $223,170 using SB-22 grants (requested by Sheriff Mark Davis). - Approval of TAC HEBP ARTS agreement (Human Resources. - Approval of amendments for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program safe room design and construction. - Rescind solicitation for debris removal bids; authorize proposals and appoint evaluation committee (Aaron Tupper, Clay Woodward, Commissioner Amanda Young). - Award culvert repairs to LZ Services per Leavins Engineering & Design recommendation. - Multiple budget amendments recognizing equipment sale revenues ($8,002 and $5,546) and insurance proceeds ($3,420) and adjusting retention stipend and salary allocations. - Authorization to execute MOU renewal with Lumberton Municipal Utility District for mass prophylaxis dispensing.
What’s next: several items—development of the CWPP, safe room construction work and procurement evaluations—carry forward to future meetings or staff action. The meeting record indicates follow-up will be through staff and appointed committees; no additional votes were recorded at adjournment.