Hardin County approves grant applications, contracts and budget moves; 45‑day burn ban extended

Hardin County commissioners met March 10, 2026, in Lumberton and approved a package of routine financial items, grant applications, contract authorizations and change orders while extending the county'wide outdoor burning ban for 45 days amid ongoing extreme drought conditions.

The court voted to extend the March 3 disaster declaration and the associated outdoor burning restrictions for 45 days, citing current and forecasted drought. Commissioners said they will revisit the ban if the National Weather Service updates forecasts that show short-term relief.

In other actions the court approved submission of several state grant applications as requested by county staff. The court adopted an amended Resolution 3‑26 to authorize submission of an Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant application, approved Resolution 8‑26 to seek up to $25,000 in law enforcement terrorism prevention grant funds, and approved Resolution 9‑26 to apply for State Homeland Security Program funding. Grants Coordinator F. Woodward was listed as the staff contact for the public safety grant submissions.

The court also handled several procurement and contract matters. It authorized the county judge to execute a contract with MK Constructors LLC for a hazard mitigation project tied to the Lumberton detention fund (agenda packet listed a contract award figure of $6,923,659). The court later approved change order number one to reduce the contract amount and had staff read a revised total into the record; the packet also documents a city match and prior payments. The court approved change order number three for a hurricane‑related project that produced a credit of $29,526 and approved change order number seven with Construction Managers of Southeast Texas for jail renovations, an itemized change of $6,212.13 to add a water control system for the juvenile detention center.

Sheriff Davis secured approval to transfer $25,000 within the Sheriff's FY26 law enforcement (SB22) budget from a safety equipment line to the auto purchase line, and the court authorized a $53,580 purchase to upfit three sheriff's office vehicles using the TIPS cooperative purchasing program.

The court approved routine financial business, including cancellation of registered claims from February 24 and authorization to pay county bills and payroll transfers presented by Treasurer Deborah M. Williams and Auditor Candace McKenna.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Feb. 24 meeting minutes: approved (motion by Commissioner Kirkindall; second by Commissioner Cooper). - Cancellation of registered claims and cash statement approval: approved (motion by Commissioner Cooper; second by Commissioner Young). - Approval to pay county bills and payroll transfers: approved (motion by Commissioner Cook; second by Commissioner Young). - Resolution 3‑26 (JAG application): adopted (mover/second not specified in the record). - Resolution 8‑26 (terrorism prevention grant up to $25,000): adopted (motion by Commissioner Young; second by Commissioner Cook). - Resolution 9‑26 (State Homeland Security Program application): adopted (motion by Commissioner Cooper; second by Commissioner Young). - Extension of outdoor burning ban (45 days): approved (mover/second not specified). - Sheriff budget transfer ($25,000) and vehicle upfitting ($53,580): both approved. - Authorization of MK Constructors contract and subsequent change order #1: both approved; packet lists city match and prior payments; staff to clarify final paperwork. - Change order #3 (negative $29,526): approved. - Change order #7 (jail water control system, $6,212.13): approved.

Why it matters The burn ban extension reflects ongoing wildfire risk and affects residents and businesses across Hardin County; the grant applications and homeland security funding requests are intended to sustain local law enforcement and emergency preparedness capacity. Contract approvals and change orders advance a multiagency hazard mitigation project tied to Lumberton infrastructure and address repairs and upgrades to the county detention facilities.

What comes next Staff will submit the grant applications and finalize contract paperwork and change‑order documentation. County staff also said they will notify the public if rainfall forecasts allow lifting the burn ban earlier than the 45‑day extension. The court adjourned without further action.