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Matagorda County commissioners approve routine contracts, reappointments and reinstate $20,000 payment to Friends of Elder Citizens
Summary
At its Feb. 23 meeting in Bay City, the Matagorda County Commissioners Court approved multiple contracts and board reappointments, authorized equipment purchases and ratified construction change orders, and voted to reinstate a $20,000 payment to Friends of Elder Citizens to be paid quarterly.
The Matagorda County Commissioners Court on Feb. 23 approved a slate of routine contracts, several board reappointments, equipment purchases and grant actions and authorized reinstatement of a $20,000 payment to Friends of Elder Citizens.
County Judge Bobby Seiferman convened the 9:30 a.m. session in the Matagorda County Courthouse in Bay City. With Commissioners Edward “Bubba” Cook, Mike Estlinbaum, Troy Isll Shimek and Charles “Bubba” Frick present, the court certified a quorum and moved through a largely consent-style agenda of motions that passed unanimously.
Among the approvals, the court reappointed Mark Rusk, Marla Cortez, Dr. LaDonna Rutledge and Jerry Evans to the Matagorda County Hospital District Board of Managers for terms effective Feb. 14, 2026–Feb. 14, 2028. It also reappointed George Deshotels to the Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation Board and appointed Casey Bartek to the Wharton‑Matagorda County CPS Board for terms listed in the agenda.
The court authorized purchases for Road and Bridge, Precinct #2, including a dump trailer from Bluebonnet Trailers & Trucks for $9,950 and a mini excavator from Nueces Power Equipment under BuyBoard Contract #788-25 for $95,856.30. Commissioners also approved a resolution to submit Grant Application #3186311 (Stonegarden) to the Office of the Governor and ratified a contract with Texas Parks and Wildlife for the County Tax Office and a separate contract with Spindlemedia, LLC for the tax office.
Construction change orders were ratified: Change Order #2 with Frost Construction Company, Inc. for the Sargent Community Center project and Change Order #1 with Boettcher Hlavinka, Co. for the Justice of the Peace #2 project. The court approved a financing agreement (pending county attorney review) with Government Capital Corporation related to purchase of a wheel loader for Road and Bridge, Precinct #2.
For law enforcement funding and compliance, the court ratified acceptance of a Texas Comptroller funding agreement for the Rural Law Enforcement Salary Assistance Program (Senate Bill 22) for the Constable's Office totaling $24,792.35 and approved the Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification for the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office with the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury, authorizing Treasurer Loretta Griffin to sign electronically on behalf of the County Judge and Sheriff Rick DeLeon.
The court recessed into executive session at 10:07 a.m. under cited sections of the Texas Government Code to consult with attorneys, deliberate personnel matters, discuss security and consider economic development negotiations. After reconvening at 11:28 a.m., the court authorized and approved reinstatement of the county's payment to Friends of Elder Citizens in the total amount of $20,000, to commence immediately with $5,000 paid immediately and then $5,000 each quarter until the amount is paid in full; the motion passed 5-0.
Routine finance and administrative items were also approved, including monthly department reports, the Matagorda County Treasurer's monthly and investment reports for January 2026, payment of demand checks and bills, ratification of line-item transfers, adoption of revisions to the Sick Leave Bank policy, and revisions to the 381 Economic Development Program Guidelines and tax abatement guidelines for reinvestment and enterprise zones (effective Feb. 23, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028). The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:32 a.m.
Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the meeting passed by recorded tally “5 ayes, 0 nays.” Specific motions and recorded movers/seconders are reflected in the official minutes.
