Hardin County commissioners approve appointments, proclamations, grant applications and purchases
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Summary
At its March 25 meeting the Hardin County Commissioners Court accepted a board resignation and appointed a replacement to the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District, approved three proclamations (one passed 4–1), authorized grant applications including a hazard-mitigation match, and approved several budgeted purchases and invoices.
Hardin County Commissioners Court on March 25, 2025 approved a series of routine and substantive items, including an appointment to the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District, proclamations from the county victim-services office, budget amendments, and purchases funded by grant programs.
The court accepted the resignation of Sam Ashworth from the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District board and appointed Paul Andrues to serve the remainder of the three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2027.
The court approved three proclamations requested by Lisa Nix of HCCVAC: Resolution 10-25 declaring April as Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Resolution 11-25 designating the first Wednesday of April as Start by Believing Day, and Resolution 12-25 proclaiming April 6–12, 2025 as Crime Victims' Rights Week. Resolution 11-25 passed 4–1, with Commissioner L.W. Cooper Jr. recorded as the sole opposing vote.
The court authorized the purchase and budget adjustments for public-safety equipment and vehicles. It approved reallocating FY2025 Opioid Settlement funds to purchase mobile data terminals and vehicle docking stations for the sheriff’s office, moving $36,200 into a minor equipment and supplies line to fund the acquisition. The court also approved the purchase of a 2024 Ford Expedition SSV for $61,926.20 to be funded by the Spindletop Center Mental Health Liaison Grant, and a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse for $37,536.70 for the county motor pool.
On grants and contract matters, the court approved payment of $2,500 to Hydrex Environmental for preparation of environmental documentation for GLO Contract #20-065-145-C857 (Saratoga Road Improvements) and adopted Resolution 13-25 authorizing submission of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (DR-4781), committing matching funds not to exceed 25% of any accepted award. The court also authorized the County Judge to execute Amendment 5 to the interlocal cooperation contract with Spindletop Center for the Mental Health Liaison Program.
Administrative approvals included routine actions: acceptance of a donated True Model GDM-26-LD cooler from the Subway in Lumberton for use in the courthouse café; payment of a $10,244.50 invoice to Leavins Engineering & Design, LLC for engineering on the Cooks Lake Road Drainage Project; and authorization for Change Order No. 1 with Construction Managers of Southeast Texas (CMOST) for courthouse and jail renovations funded by ARPA. The court approved minutes, cancelled registered claims from March 11, authorized payment of county bills, and approved several budget amendments, including an amendment to the County Attorney supplement budget requested by County Attorney Matthew Minick.
Presentation-only items included the Hardin County Historical Commission annual report for fiscal year 2024, delivered by Historical Commission Chairman Jimmy McKim.
Votes at a glance • Approval of March 11 minutes — approved (unanimous). • Cancel registered claims and accept cash statement — approved (unanimous). • Pay county bills — approved (unanimous). • Variance for Woodcrest Subdivision replat (lots side setbacks) — approved (unanimous). • Accept resignation of Sam Ashworth / appoint Paul Andrues (Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District) — approved (unanimous). • Resolution 10-25 (April: Child Abuse & Sexual Assault Awareness Month) — approved (unanimous). • Resolution 11-25 (Start by Believing Day) — approved (4–1; Cooper opposed). • Resolution 12-25 (Crime Victims' Rights Week) — approved (unanimous). • San Jacinto Day fireworks sales order (April 16–21, 2025) — approved (unanimous). • Opioid settlement fund reallocation for sheriff equipment ($36,200) — approved (unanimous). • Hydrex Environmental invoice $2,500 (GLO contract environmental documentation) — approved (unanimous). • Resolution 13-25 (HMGP application authorization; up to 25% match) — approved (unanimous). • Amendment 5 to Interlocal with Spindletop Center — approved (unanimous). • Purchase: 2024 Ford Expedition SSV ($61,926.20) — approved (unanimous). • Purchase: 2025 Chevrolet Traverse ($37,536.70) — approved (unanimous). • Change Order No. 1 with CMOST (ARPA courthouse & jail renovations) — approved (unanimous). • Leavins Engineering invoice $10,244.50 (Cooks Lake Road) — approved (unanimous). • Accept donation (True cooler) from Subway — approved (unanimous). • County Attorney FY2025 supplement budget amendment — approved (unanimous).
What happens next: The court will proceed with procurement and contract processes authorized at the meeting, and staff may submit the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications under the terms of Resolution 13-25. The court adjourned at the conclusion of the agenda.