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Houston County commissioners approve budget amendments, vehicle purchases and resolution backing hotel‑tax exemption
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Houston County Commissioners Court approved budget amendments, personnel and equipment actions including a lease purchase for a Precinct 2 pickup and authorization for three sheriff patrol vehicles, accepted an in‑kind donation, appointed a child‑welfare board member and adopted a resolution supporting legislation to exempt counties from the state hotel occupancy tax.
Houston County Commissioners Court on Feb. 10 approved a series of routine motions including budget amendments, personnel actions, vehicle purchases and a resolution backing legislation to exempt counties from the state hotel occupancy tax.
The actions, taken during a 9:00 a.m. regular meeting convened by County Judge Jim Lovell, included approval of the Jan. 27 minutes, authorization to pay accounts payable and fund transfers, and acceptance of budget amendments as presented. The court also approved hiring, reimbursements and equipment purchases across precincts and county departments.
Elections Administrator Cindy Lum told the court that "the Secretary of State website is still not up to standard," and said her office has mailed new voter cards. She asked commissioners for help recruiting poll workers after about 20 workers backed out, a shortfall she said county staff were addressing.
Commissioners approved hiring Tonja Moreton as a full‑time dispatcher (temporary license) at an annual salary of $38,000 (Pay Grade SO2), effective Feb. 10, 2026. The court also approved compensatory and vacation payouts of $484.15 to Jailer Cameron Burch and $3.95 to Katie Sandifer of the County Clerk's Office.
On infrastructure and equipment, the court accepted an in‑kind donation valued at $6,000 from Casey Watson/5W Farm & Ranch Construction for labor, equipment and materials on County Road 1870 in Precinct 1; County Auditor Melissa Jeter requested a written letter documenting the dollar amount, and Commissioner Gary Lovell said he would provide it. Commissioners approved a lease‑purchase agreement not to exceed $50,000 for a 2026 1/2‑ton 4x4 Chevy pickup for Precinct 2 and authorized advertising for bids to purchase three patrol vehicles for the sheriff's office, gathering quotes for outfitting those vehicles, and authorizing a lease purchase for the vehicles and outfitting upon approval of bids and quotes.
The court also approved advertising to accept bids for surplus inventory (including bumpers and grill guards) and received notice that several vehicles will be rotated into surplus inventory. Melissa Jeter noted efforts to clean up storage at the airport hangar and suggested selling some of the surplus items.
In other business, the court appointed Sarah Carter Crow to the Houston County Child Welfare Board and adopted a resolution "supporting legislation to exempt Texas counties from the State Hotel Occupancy Tax." The court approved a refund of FY2025 service fees to Houston County Constable Precinct 1 due to non‑service and approved a $1,000 Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund application and interlocal agreement for Jo Denman/Crockett Community Empowerment to host a pop‑up market/fair on March 28, 2026.
Clayton Starr, representing the Sons of the Republic, gave a brief Texas history presentation titled "What Happened Before the Alamo," and the court adopted a proclamation recognizing the Sons of the Republic celebration for Texas Independence Day; Starr concluded by saying, "stay tuned for part 2." The court adjourned at 9:41 a.m.
Votes at a glance: all recorded motions carried by a 4–0 tally unless otherwise noted (Commissioner Willie Kitchen, Precinct 2, was noted as absent). Recorded movers and seconders are captured in the meeting minutes and the court’s formal motions.
