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Matagorda County commissioners approve routine contracts, reappointments and hotel-occupancy tax implementation
Summary
The Matagorda County Commissioners' Court unanimously approved a slate of contracts and reappointments Feb. 2, 2026, including forensic pathology and volunteer fire department agreements, reappointments to drainage districts, a change order for the Sargent Community Center and authorization to implement a hotel occupancy tax with Deckard Technologies.
Bay City, Texas — The Matagorda County Commissioners' Court on Feb. 2, 2026, approved a series of contracts, reappointments and grant applications and authorized the county to implement a hotel occupancy tax and sign a related contract with Deckard Technologies.
County Judge Bobby Seiferman presided over the meeting and certified a quorum with Commissioners Edward “Bubba” Cook, Mike Estlinbaum and Charles “Bubba” Frick present; Commissioner Shimek was absent. The Court conducted routine business, heard departmental reports and took unanimous action on multiple agenda items.
Key approvals included an Interlocal Agreement with the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for forensic pathology services for FY 2026–2028; amended and new contracts with the Wadsworth, Blessing and Palacios volunteer fire departments for FY 2026–2027; and renewal contracts and vendor agreements for county operations, including a TAC software license and Money Line Systems annual money-counter service for the Tax Office. The Court also approved an amended contract with the Palacios Area Historical Association and re-approved a five-year renewal agreement (2025–2029) between the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation and Economic Development Services due to a budget increase.
The commissioners ratified Change Order #1 with Frost Construction Company, Inc., related to the Sargent Community Center project and authorized the County Judge to sign the change order. The Court authorized submission of a Rural Ambulance Service Grant application and approved a matching funds contract with Texana Center for FY 2026.
The Court reappointed members to local drainage districts and appointed John Martin Crain to replace Dwight Vavra on the Matagorda County Conservation & Reclamation District No. 1 board, all with unanimous votes. It accepted the deputation of Esmeralda Salinas as Deputy County Clerk and approved the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office 2025 Racial Profiling Report.
Following an executive session held under Texas Government Code Sections 551.0725, 551.074, 551.076 and 551.087, the Court approved proposals #P36556 and #P36557 with Star Service, Inc. and authorized implementation of a Hotel Occupancy Tax, approving a related contract with Deckard Technologies; those actions were recorded as unanimous.
Finance and administrative items approved included monthly departmental reports, invoices from multiple departments, the county treasurer's quarterly investment report for the fourth quarter of 2025, automatic payment schedules for 2026, and ratification of demand checks and payments of bills.
The Court also authorized the signing of a Certifications and Assurances form by the County Judge and Sheriff Rick DeLeon certifying the county does not have written policies that would impede Department of Homeland Security issuance of detainers for grant compliance. The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: motions recorded on the minutes list the mover and seconder for each agenda item and uniformly show "Motion carried. Vote 4 ayes 0 nays" for recorded votes in open session.
