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Hardin County commissioners approve land purchase, budget transfers and $1.08M safe‑room payment; fireworks permit tabled
Summary
The Hardin County Commissioners Court on March 24 approved a roughly $400,000 land purchase for a drainage project, multiple budget amendments and a $1,079,509 transfer to cover Hurricane Safe Room construction costs, while tabling a fireworks sales order until March 31.
Hardin County commissioners on March 24 unanimously approved a series of routine claims, budget amendments and procurement actions, including authorizing purchase of about 6.89 acres for a drainage project and transferring $1,079,509 from the general fund to cover Hurricane Safe Room construction costs while reimbursements from FEMA and TDEM remain delayed.
The court voted to buy approximately 6.89 acres from Journey Community Church for $400,000 to support the El Pinto–Fletcher Channel and Detention Improvements project (GLO CDBG‑MIT E596). Commissioner Chris Kirkendall moved the purchase; Commissioner Amanda Young seconded it. County Judge Wayne McDaniel and Commissioners L.W. "Nubbin" Cooper Jr., Kirkendall, Young and Ernie Koch voted in favor and authorized the county judge to execute closing documents and direct payment to Hooks Title & Abstract Company. The agenda materials state the county expects reimbursement from the Texas General Land Office under its agreement.
The court approved a transfer of $1,079,509 from the General Fund to the Hurricane Safe Room grant project to cover construction costs already incurred by N&T Construction and authorized payment of Pay Applications #3 through #6 totaling $1,085,201.82, citing federal reimbursement delays tied to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Purchasing Agent Misty Sims presented a related request to authorize Change Order No. 4 with N&T Construction; that change order authorization was approved on the same vote.
District Attorney Rebecca Walton requested and the court approved an FY26 budget amendment to move $2,507 from travel and training to a grant transfer account to cover partial fringe benefits for a grant‑funded victim coordinator position. Sheriff Mark Davis also received approval to transfer $59,051 from general contingency to jail equipment to pay remaining costs for upgrades and repairs to the jail door system; the court authorized payment of Invoice #4983 to Sydaptic, Inc. for $119,156.
Other items approved included authorizing the purchasing agent to solicit bids for the GLO CDBG‑MIT‑MOD Woodcrest Roadside Ditch Improvements Project in Precinct 4; permission to sell surplus items (including a 2010 Ford F‑150) through Rene' Bates Auctioneers; and an FY26 amendment to record $200 in interest revenue for the Courthouse Café budget.
The court also approved giving 30 days' notice to cancel the contract with Merchant Multiservice (Gov‑Pay) and authorized the county judge to sign a new service agreement with Govolution, LLC (doing business as Deluxe) for credit card and eCheck processing for the Hardin County Tax Office.
An order authorizing San Jacinto Day fireworks sales from April 16–21, 2026 was tabled until the March 31 meeting at 10:00 a.m. by unanimous motion. The court opened the floor for non‑agenda announcements and then adjourned.
Votes at a glance: multiple routine motions passed unanimously; the fireworks sales order (agenda item 18) was tabled. Several authorizations reference federal grant reimbursements or contract closeout processes and noted reimbursements or timelines as "not specified" in the materials presented.
Meeting next steps include the March 31, 2026 follow‑up on the fireworks sales order; the agenda lists other follow‑up procurement and contract administration items related to the Hurricane Safe Room project.
