Burleson County commissioners accept HAVA grant, ratify law‑enforcement awards and approve multiple equipment purchases
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Summary
At its Oct. 14, 2025 meeting the Burleson County Commissioners Court unanimously accepted a $35,719.17 HAVA election security sub‑grant (with a $7,143.83 required match), ratified three rural law‑enforcement salary awards, and approved several equipment purchases and time warrants for Road & Bridge operations.
The Burleson County Commissioners Court on Oct. 14, 2025 approved a series of unanimous motions that the court said will fund election equipment, bolster law‑enforcement pay, and finance road equipment purchases.
County Judge Keith Schroeder opened the meeting and, after routine reports, the court accepted a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Election Security sub‑grant (TXHAVA‑ES2025‑026) for $35,719.17 with a required local match of $7,143.83 to purchase new poll books and related equipment. Commissioner Robert "Bobby" Urbanosky moved to accept the sub‑grant and Commissioner Vincent Svec seconded; the motion passed with all members voting aye.
The court also approved a discretionary competitive‑bidding exemption under Local Government Code 262.024(a)(7) to acquire elections equipment from Hart Intercivic related to that grant. Commissioner David Hildebrand made the motion to approve the procurement exemption and Commissioner Vincent Svec seconded; the exemption passed unanimously.
In related fiscal and grant actions, the court ratified Amendment 1 to GLO Contract No. 24‑065‑057‑E567, extending the CDBG‑MIT grant end date to Sept. 30, 2026. Commissioner Dwayne Faust moved for ratification and Commissioner David Hildebrand seconded; the court voted to ratify the amendment.
The commissioners also ratified acceptance of awards under the Texas Comptroller’s FY2026 Rural Law Enforcement Salary Assistance Program (SB‑22): $350,000 for the Sheriff’s Office (IA‑0000002029), $175,000 for the Prosecutor’s Office (IA‑0000002033), and $18,818.26 for the Constables (IA‑0000002145). Commissioner Vincent Svec moved to ratify acceptance of the awards and Commissioner Robert "Bobby" Urbanosky seconded; acceptance was unanimous.
On capital‑equipment and road maintenance matters, the court approved several Road & Bridge purchases. Precinct 2 will acquire a CASE IH Farmall 110A tractor with boom mower, half of the $159,790.73 cost to be financed by a time warrant; Precinct 4 will purchase a 2006 Peterbilt 279 for $60,000 and a CAT backhoe loader (DCA3B) for $128,900 via a Sourcewell contract. The court authorized issuance of Time Warrant 2025‑2 with Citizens State Bank in the amount of $80,000 to finance equipment purchases. Commissioner Vincent Svec moved for the purchases and Commissioner Robert "Bobby" Urbanosky seconded; all passed.
Other actions included approval of the FY2024 Annual Financial Report prepared by Crowe LLP; renewal of the Friends for Life contract; revisions to the Sheriff’s Office step pay scale; approval of a pipeline public road crossing permit for a proposed water line on County Road 360 (Silver Springs Road); deputation of Reserve Deputy David Kamyk; adoption of a county Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2022 policy; and a subdivision exception for RRD Ranch (18.67 acres on County Road 316). Each of these measures passed by unanimous vote.
Sheriff Rios reported the Sheriff’s Department is actively recruiting for one jailer, two dispatchers, one patrol position and one Crisis Intervention Team officer, and reported the jail census at 55 inmates (43 males, 12 females). Ty Eller, the county’s new emergency manager, said a burn ban was in effect and noted a mitigation‑plan meeting scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Extension Office. D. J. Oliver informed the court that early voting will run Oct. 20–31, 2025.
The court received a presentation from Amanda Tague of the Texas Water Resources Institute on the Davidson Creek Water Protection Plan and was given an update from the Burleson County Extension Education Association. County Judge Schroeder reported September collections (Felony Court $18,099.17; Misdemeanor Court $12,777.53) and noted a pending decision about reappointing Kevin Scamardo to the Appraisal Board by Dec. 15, 2025. The county auditor reported that the new audit work is beginning.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes, $75 donation, FY2025 amendment for FM#3): approved unanimously. - Accept FY2024 Annual Financial Report (Crowe LLP): approved unanimously. - Proclamations (National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; National Substance Abuse Prevention Month): adopted unanimously. - Friends for Life contract renewal: approved unanimously. - Accept HAVA sub‑grant TXHAVA‑ES2025‑026 ($35,719.17; $7,143.83 match) and procurement exemption for Hart Intercivic: approved unanimously. - Ratify GLO CDBG‑MIT contract amendment (extend to 9/30/2026): ratified unanimously. - Approve Sheriff’s Office step scale revisions: approved unanimously. - Approve pipeline crossing permit (County Road 360/Silver Springs Road): approved unanimously. - Deputize Reserve Deputy David Kamyk: approved unanimously. - Approve VAWA 2022 policy: approved unanimously. - Interlocal surplus property transfer with Brazos County: approved unanimously. - Ratify acceptance of Rural Law Enforcement Salary Assistance awards (IA‑0000002029, IA‑0000002033, IA‑0000002145): approved unanimously. - Subdivision exception for RRD Ranch (18.67 acres, County Road 316): approved unanimously. - Road & Bridge equipment purchases and Time Warrant 2025‑2 ($80,000): approved unanimously. - Authorize payment of bills and adjourn: approved unanimously.
The court adjourned after approving payment of bills. The meeting record is attested by County Clerk Anna L. Schielack.