Harrison County commissioners approve routine budget moves, set speed limit and close section of Amos Road

The Harrison County Commissioners Court met in the historic Marshall courthouse and, presided over by the chair, approved a slate of routine financial, road, and administrative actions on a mostly unanimous vote.

Auditor Haynes opened the court’s administrative reports and said of the Road and Bridge Fund, “we have collected $1,981,246,” a figure the court used in later budget-season planning. After discussion about how unused budget line items roll into fund balance and how the county’s self-insurance is treated, the court approved line-item transfers, payment of regular bills, and payroll for May 24, 2024. The court also approved the annual auditor’s report; the chair said the report “makes much more sense because it's got everything captured.” All of those motions passed 3–0.

The court authorized the auditor’s office to apply for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAP) grant for Harrison County and authorized the county judge to execute grant award documents. Auditor Haynes described the SCAP request as an annual application; the authorization passed unanimously.

The court considered several utility permit applications from Gemini Carthage Pipeline LLC, Mark West (East Texas Company), and Etechs Telephone Cooperative for work on county roads. Commissioners and staff questioned transposed road numbers on the agenda and discussed pipeline depth and casing requirements. One committee member said district practice had changed: “the state's backed up and made them drop and go with inside steel,” and Auditor Haynes replied that conversations with TxDOT staff indicated district requirements vary and, in their experience, “they still require” casing in the Atlanta district. After those exchanges the court approved the utility applications by a single motion (3–0).

In public hearings the court considered traffic-safety changes and a right-of-way abandonment. Residents addressing a proposed speed-limit change on Leachville’s Cutoff Road (County Road 1400 in Precinct 1) told the court that newly developed houses are “dangerously close to the road” and that children play nearby. After closing the hearing the court adopted Speed Limit Issuance Order No. 24-178 to set the road’s speed limit at 30 mph; the motion carried 3–0.

The court also held a public hearing on a requested abandonment of the northeasternmost end of Amos Road (County Road 3433) in Precinct 3. Speakers said the request was prompted by dumping at the road end and a landowner’s desire to gate the roadway. The court approved an order to close public access to that portion of Amos Road and authorized the county judge to execute the order; the vote was 3–0.

The court accepted several donations and approved purchases: a local landowner donated water — estimated at $4,000 — for base stabilization on three Precinct 1 roads; the court accepted a $200 donation from David M. Thomas for the sheriff’s K-9 program; and the court approved payment of $11,348 to Ultimate Night Vision (quote Q5460) for infrared scopes for a task force. Each of those motions passed unanimously.

The court approved sealed bid specifications for Bid No. 2024-03 (sealcoat/silicoat for roughly 10 miles), authorized publication for bidders with a July bid opening, and discussed scheduling to avoid late-season construction. The court also approved a one-year facility use agreement with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for use of the Harrison County Historical Courthouse and approved articles of organization and bylaws for a county commission entity to be submitted to state and federal agencies for compliance.

Finally, by drawing names from a submitted list, the court appointed three public members — Morgan Tomberlin Strong, James Carpenter and Amanda McDowell — and three alternates — Alan Martin, Stuart Ross and Charles Deloney — to a salary grievance committee effective June 4 through May 31, 2025, citing local government code sections read into the record. The court adjourned at 9:43 a.m.

Votes at a glance: line-item transfers — approved 3–0; payment of regular bills — approved 3–0; payroll (05/24/2024) — approved 3–0; annual auditor’s report — approved 3–0; SCAP grant application authorization — approved 3–0; utility permit applications — approved 3–0; Speed Limit Order No. 24-178 (CR 1400 to 30 mph) — approved 3–0; closure of portion of Amos Road (CR 3433) — approved 3–0; accept water donation (estimated $4,000) — approved 3–0; accept K-9 donation ($200) — approved 3–0; payment to Ultimate Night Vision ($11,348) — approved 3–0; sealcoat bid specs (Bid 2024-03) — approved 3–0; facility use agreement with U.S. District Court — approved 3–0; articles of organization/bylaws — approved 3–0; appointment of grievance committee members/alternates — approved 3–0.

What’s next: many items were routine approvals; the court flagged budget season scheduling and the July bid timeline for sealcoat work. No controversial votes were recorded in the minutes provided.