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Newton County commissioners approve interlocal jail agreement, multiple administrative items
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the court approved an interlocal agreement to house inmates with Jasper County (rate raised to $75/day), accepted a cemetery road dedication, approved budget and vehicle items, and took a range of routine administrative votes; the court also requested an executive session before adjourning.
Newton County Commissioners Court moved through a broad docket March 11, approving a series of routine and administrative items including an interlocal inmate housing agreement with Jasper County and a road dedication.
Key votes and outcomes
• Interlocal inmate housing agreement with Jasper County — Approved. Staff said the per‑day fee in the agreement increases from $45 to $75 per day; commissioners discussed jail capacity and longer‑term housing options.
• STIs Bluff Cemetery Road dedication — Approved. Two landowners signed dedications to place approximately 450 feet of private roadway into the county road system under chapter 281 of the Texas Transportation Code; staff estimated modest initial maintenance (roughly $2,500–$3,000) to rock and cover the roadway.
• Sale of Terra Cyclone mower — Approved. The court authorized sale via the county’s contracted auctioneer with a suggested minimum bid of $23,000 for a new, boxed mower head that staff determined was unsuitable for paved road work.
• Budget and year‑end reports — The court received the 2024 year‑end report and accepted the 2025 budget as presented. A budget amendment was also approved to move payment for a van (ordered in 2024, delivered in 2025) between fiscal years (approximately $68,900) to match auditors’ requirements.
• Child Welfare Board appointments — Approved. The court appointed a slate of members (names read into the record) to meet state contract requirements for the Newton County Child Welfare Board with staggered terms.
• Communication site agreement with Texas A&M Forest Service — Approved. The court renewed the site agreement for a Forest Service‑owned radio tower used for northern county communications.
• ACA reporting and tracking service — Approved. The court approved using the Association of Counties’ ACA reporting and tracking service (1094‑C/1095‑C) at no cost to the county; staff will manage reporting responsibilities.
• Racial profiling report — Received and filed. The Sheriff’s Office presented the 2024 report showing 28 traffic stops in 2024 and stated the department is in compliance with state requirements.
• Vacation payout for deputy — Approved. The court approved paying a deputy 68 hours of unused vacation accrued in 2023.
• Sale/disposal of Sheriff’s Office vehicles — Approved. The court authorized the sheriff to sell or otherwise dispose of multiple older/salvage vehicles and trailers.
• Payment of bills and wire transfers — Approved. The court approved the monthly bills and authorized wire transfers (including purchases from the Jasper Co‑op for two vehicles) as presented.
The court then moved to convene an executive session. The meeting was adjourned after the executive session motion was recorded.
Why it matters: The votes implement routine county operations (budget adjustments, asset disposition, interlocal cooperation for inmate housing) and include small but tangible effects on county costs and services, such as the increased inmate housing fee and the addition of a county road.
