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Hardin County Commissioners approve budget transfers, road speed limit and multiple grant actions
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the Hardin County Commissioners' Court approved a budget transfer to provide local match for a USDA Emergency Watershed Protection project, authorized Pay App #1 to ERS, set a 30 MPH limit on Sugar Maple Road and approved multiple grant- and procurement-related actions.
Hardin County Commissioners' Court met April 28, 2026 in the Commissioners Courtroom (A-131) and approved a slate of routine fiscal, infrastructure and grant-related actions.
The court voted to amend the FY2026 budget to transfer $229,480.00 from the Road & Bridge Fund balance into a newly created line item (017-700-494) to serve as the local match for a construction contract with ERS of MS, Inc. related to the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection Program. The court also authorized payment of Pay Application No. 1 to ERS, Inc. in the amount of $144,405.62. Commissioner Chris Kirkendall made the motion and Commissioner Ernie Koch seconded; the motion carried with Judge Wayne McDaniel and all four commissioners recorded as voting in favor.
On traffic safety, the court approved a motion by Commissioner Kirkendall, seconded by Commissioner L. W. "Nubbin' Cooper Jr., to set a 30 MPH speed limit on Sugar Maple Road in Precinct 2.
The court adopted two resolutions related to housing and civil-rights compliance required by the Texas Community Development Block Grant program: a proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month and a resolution reaffirming the county's Civil Rights, Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing policies. Both resolutions were moved by Commissioner Amanda Young and seconded by Commissioner Ernie Koch and approved unanimously.
Finance and procurement items included approval to cancel previously registered claims from April 14, 2026 and acceptance of the county cash statement as presented by County Treasurer Deborah McWilliams; authorization to pay county bills as presented by Assistant County Auditor Angie Smith; and authorization to pay Kent's Collision Center for a December 29, 2025 repair order for a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PPV (amount as stated in the agenda: 56,724.93). Commissioner Amanda Young moved the collision payment item; Commissioner Cooper seconded and the court approved.
Other actions approved without recorded dissent included solicitation of bids for the GLO CDBG-MIT-MOD Kountze Roadside Ditch and Channel Improvements Project (GLO Contract No. 24-065-065-E596), authorization for the County Judge to submit Unclaimed Property Credits for Counties to the Texas Comptroller under §381.004 Texas Local Government Code, solicitation of proposals for Texas Water Development Board grant-management services (with an evaluation committee appointed), and Amendment No. 1 approvals for multiple Hazard Mitigation Grant Program contracts with Traylor & Associates for grant administration.
The court also approved a budget amendment reflecting $8,400.00 in insurance proceeds and a corresponding increase to the sheriff's vehicle maintenance line to cover repairs to damaged patrol vehicles as requested by Sheriff Mark Davis; authorized notices for the May 26, 2026 primary runoff elections at the request of Elections Administrator Alysa Freeman; and approved creation of a temporary clerk position in the Veterans Service Office with a not-to-exceed rate of $15.91 per hour.
Votes at a glance: approve minutes (unanimous); cancel April 14 registered claims and accept cash statement (unanimous); authorize payment of county bills (unanimous); set Sugar Maple Road speed limit to 30 MPH (unanimous); transfer $229,480 and authorize Pay App #1 to ERS, Inc. $144,405.62 (unanimous); adopt Fair Housing and TxCDBG resolutions (unanimous); amend sheriff budget for $8,400 insurance proceeds (unanimous); authorize payment to Kent's Collision Center (approved; amount recorded in agenda: 56,724.93); solicit bids and proposals and appoint evaluation committee (approved); authorize HMG grant amendments with Traylor & Associates (approved); authorize election runoff notices (approved); create temporary Veterans Service clerk and amend budget (approved); adjourn (unanimous).
The court opened the meeting to non-agenda announcements and adjourned following a motion by Commissioner Kirkendall and second by Commissioner Cooper.