Matagorda County commissioners approve routine fiscal items, proclaim April awareness months and table ROHM abatement certification

Matagorda County Commissioners’ Court met March 30, 2026, in Bay City and approved a slate of routine administrative and fiscal measures, proclaimed April as both Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and tabled a tax-abatement compliance item for ROHM.

The court, presided over by County Judge Bobby Seiferman, opened at 9:30 a.m. and certified a quorum. Commissioners in attendance included Edward "Bubba" Cook, Mike Estlinbaum, Commissioner Shimek and Charles "Bubba" Frick; Stephanie Wurtz is listed in the minutes as county clerk.

The most consequential administrative moves were procedural: the court approved the March 23, 2026 minutes; approved one contract for use of the Matagorda County Fairgrounds facilities; and accepted an AEP CATV Construction Proposal for Information Services. Motions and seconders for each action were recorded in the minutes and each vote reported as unanimous (5-0).

On personnel and compensation matters, the court approved a pay rate for Brandon McNeal in the 130th District Court Bailiff position, not to exceed $32.00 per hour for fiscal year 2026. The motion to set the rate was made by Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum and seconded by Commissioner Shimek and passed 5-0.

Judge Seiferman introduced a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Matagorda County; the court adopted the proclamation unanimously.

A planned certification of 312 Agreement compliance and confirmation of a 2026 abatement for ROHM was placed on hold. Commissioner Estlinbaum moved to table the item; Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook seconded the motion, and the court voted 5-0 to table. The minutes do not include details about the rationale for tabling or next steps.

The court voted at 9:48 a.m. to enter executive session under multiple sections of the Texas Government Code to consult with attorneys on a contract (Sec. 551.0725), discuss personnel matters (Sec. 551.074), deliberate security deployment/audit issues (Sec. 551.076), and consider economic development negotiations related to a business prospect (Sec. 551.087). The body reconvened in open session at 11:19 a.m. and adjourned at approximately 11:20 a.m.; the minutes do not record any public action taken after the executive session.

Votes at a glance: the minutes record the following formal actions and outcomes (movers/seconders and vote tallies are taken from the minutes): approve minutes for March 23, 2026 (moved by Commissioner Charles "Bubba" Frick; seconded by Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook; result: approved, 5-0); approve one fairgrounds contract (moved by Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook; seconded by Commissioner Charles "Bubba" Frick; approved, 5-0); appoint Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook as Judge Pro-Tem for 2026 (moved by Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum; seconded by Commissioner Shimek; approved, 5-0); proclamation declaring April 2026 awareness months (moved by County Judge Bobby Seiferman; seconded by Commissioner Shimek; approved, 5-0); set bailiff pay for Brandon McNeal at up to $32.00/hour for FY2026 (moved by Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum; seconded by Commissioner Shimek; approved, 5-0); table Certification of 312 Agreement Compliance and Confirmation of 2026 Abatement for ROHM (moved by Commissioner Mike Estlinbaum; seconded by Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook; tabled, 5-0); approve AEP CATV Construction Proposal for Information Services (moved by County Judge Bobby Seiferman; seconded by Commissioner Shimek; approved, 5-0); approve invoices for Precincts #2 and #3 (moved by Commissioner Shimek; seconded by Commissioner Estlinbaum; approved, 5-0); approve payment of demand checks (moved by Commissioner Charles "Bubba" Frick; seconded by Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook; approved, 5-0); approve line item transfers (moved by Commissioner Edward "Bubba" Cook; seconded by Commissioner Charles "Bubba" Frick; approved, 5-0).

The minutes do not record public debate, detailed staff reports, or additional materials attached to the agenda for the tabling of the ROHM item; the ROHM item therefore remains pending in the court's record. The meeting was approved in open court on April 6, 2026, and the minutes are signed by County Judge Bobby Seiferman and County Clerk Stephanie Wurtz.

The court's minutes are the official record of action; the tabling of the ROHM certification and the items reviewed in executive session may generate future agenda items or public reports when the court takes them up in open session.