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Lynn County commissioners unanimously approve FY2026 fire contracts, grants and safety equipment filing
Summary
At the Jan. 12 meeting in Tahoka, the Lynn County Commissioner’s Court approved three FY2026 fire contracts with nearby cities, accepted a contract update for UMC Physicians’ EPIC system, authorized filing for a ballistic-shield grant for deputies, and approved a juvenile justice reimbursement grant resolution.
Lynn County’s Commissioner’s Court met Jan. 12 in Tahoka and, in unanimous votes, approved multiple FY2026 interlocal fire contracts, accepted a county contract update tied to an EPIC medical records upgrade, authorized seeking ballistic shields through a SPAG EGrant, and approved a Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention grant resolution.
The court approved separate fire service agreements for the City of Wilson, the City of New Home and the City of Tahoka. Commissioner Matt Woodley moved to accept the Wilson contract, Commissioner Larry Durham moved to accept the New Home contract and Commissioner John Hawthorne moved to accept the Tahoka contract; each motion was seconded (Woodley/Hawthorne, Durham/Gass, Hawthorne/Woodley respectively) and each passed with all members voting in favor.
Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris Hennsley reported the jail population at 34 inmates: 27 from Lynn County, two from Lubbock and five from Potter County. Hennsley also told the court that UMC Physicians has upgraded to the EPIC medical records system and the county needs an updated contract for the medical services UMC provides; Commissioner Tate Gass moved to accept that contract, Commissioner John Hawthorne seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
On equipment for school and patrol safety, Chief Deputy Hennsley said the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) now requires ballistic shields on each school campus and that SPAG is offering grants for such equipment, though he said Homeland Security funds “are all tied up.” The court voted to enter into the SPAG EGrant to pursue ballistic shields for patrol deputies; Commissioner Larry Durham moved, Commissioner Tate Gass seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bryant Sears, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, described the county’s application for an annual reimbursement grant for counseling and psychological evaluations under the Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention program. Sears said the grant reimburses $81.25 per counseling session and $650 per psychological evaluation and estimated the regional award at about $78,000. The court approved the resolution unanimously.
The court also voted to file a pre-claim with TAC, approved the county’s claims and payroll as presented by County Treasurer Deputy Mackenzi Reynolds, and handled routine items such as bonds and finance reports (none to approve). The court entered executive session under Texas Government Code §551.074 at 9:41 a.m. to discuss personnel matters and returned to open session at 9:58 a.m., then adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Next steps noted in the meeting record include executing the approved contracts and completing paperwork to pursue the SPAG EGrant; several items (budget amendments, finance reports, bonds) required no action because none were presented.
