Houston County commissioners approve purchases, hires, insurance renewal and program participation
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Summary
At their March 24 meeting the Houston County Commissioners unanimously approved budget amendments, new hires and promotions, multiple equipment and vehicle purchases totaling hundreds of thousands, an insurance renewal that adds cyber coverage, and participation in a youth leadership program.
HOUSTON COUNTY, March 24, 2026 — The Houston County Commissioners Court approved a series of routine but consequential administrative actions at its regular meeting, including personnel approvals, equipment purchases, an insurance renewal that adds cyber-security coverage, and participation in a summer Youth Leadership Program.
The court voted unanimously on a set of budget amendments and to pay accounts payable, fund transfers and ratified salary expenses. In personnel actions, the court approved the hiring of Hailee Keaton as a jailer at an annual salary of $42,000 and the appointment of Kirby Whittmore as Jail Sergeant at $47,000. The court also approved the promotion of Hugh Coleman to full‑time Assistant County Attorney with the bi‑weekly salary specified in the personnel motion. All personnel motions carried 5–0.
On procurement and equipment, commissioners awarded a bid for three patrol trucks to "Bidder #1" at a total price of $152,250 and authorized a lease‑purchase agreement for that acquisition, naming County Judge Jim Lovell and Commissioner Gene Stokes as signatories on the lease. The court also approved the purchase of a John Deere 6110m tractor and a Diamond boom mower mulcher for Precinct 3 under the BuyBoard cooperative, authorizing payment to Bane Equipment not to exceed $260,000. Both purchases were approved by 5–0 votes.
County Auditor Melissa Jeter briefed the court on the renewal application to the Texas Association of Counties for building and mobile equipment insurance covering July 1, 2026, through July 1, 2027. Jeter said the renewal will include a new cyber‑security section and higher coverage limits; she also noted that appraisers will visit in July for the county’s four‑year reassessment cycle. The court approved the renewal 5–0.
The court received as information the county's receipt of reauthorized Secure Rural Schools Act funds for FY2024; Auditor Jeter said schools had been paid and credited DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt for assistance. Commissioners also accepted a $1,000 donation from G K Berry for road work in Precinct 2 and authorized several routine administrative items including bond and overweight permits for all precincts, disposal of salvage items with no bids, and setting temporary $1,000 spending limits for certain outgoing officials.
On employee benefits matters, the court accepted a one‑time credit from MetLife equal to 3% of premiums (not to exceed $30,000) for eligible open‑enrollment services performed by the county and approved a Service Fee Disclosure authorizing MetLife to pay fees to 19:21 Consultants Company effective Oct. 1, 2025. Kris Dyches, HR/insurance coordinator, presented both items and the motions carried 5–0.
The court also approved changes to the CDL random drug‑screening program: switching to Integrity Drug Screening, relocating the testing site to the Precinct 2 office, and naming Kris Dyches as administrator for the program. Commissioner Willie Kitchen made the motion, which passed 5–0.
The meeting concluded after routine reports and announcements. County Clerk Terri Meadows will attest to the minutes; the court adjourned at 10:03 a.m.