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Hutchinson County approves consultant contract, ambulance grant and airport hangar rates; several tax-deed sales accepted
Summary
The court approved a professional services agreement enabling retention of an expert witness (Troy Timmans), a conditional rural ambulance grant agreement, temporary airport hangar rental rates and accepted multiple tax-deed sale offers, including two Monroe lots and a late $250 offer for 508 Elk Drive; motions were carried by voice votes with one abstention recorded on hangar rates.
The Hutchinson County Commissioners Court approved several fiscal and administrative items during its meeting, including a professional services contract to secure an outside expert witness for prosecutions, a conditional acceptance of a rural ambulance grant agreement, temporary adoption of airport hangar rental rates, and approval of offers for several struck-off tax properties.
On the first agenda item, the court considered a proposed professional services agreement with Troy Timmans for consulting services with the district attorney's office. After the Chair asked for an explanation, Clay explained that Timmans requires a contract before providing services and that trial expenses are normally paid from an existing trial-expense line; Clay recommended the contract so the county can secure the expert without delay. The court moved and approved the agreement by voice vote.
Regarding airport hangar rates, staff said the airport board recommended adopting current rates temporarily while it conducts further research on rate adjustments and hanger maintenance needs. Commissioners discussed maintenance work that must be completed before any permanent rate increase; the court approved the presented rates by motion, with one commissioner recorded as abstaining because he said there was "not enough info for any of this." The court and staff discussed options for contract lengths and lease timing.
The court also approved a rural ambulance-service grant agreement intended to fund equipment for local ambulance service. Staff reported the city of Borger currently provides ambulance coverage to the rural areas; county counsel (Craig) recommended approval conditioned on extending an interlocal agreement to satisfy grant rules. The court approved the grant agreement with that condition.
On property sales, the court reviewed offers for struck-off tax properties. The court approved offers of $500 for 10:05 and 10:07 Monroe (empty lots) and accepted a late offer of $250 from Isaac Harris for 508 Elk Drive, which had not had taxes paid since 1989 and had been appraised in the past.
Several other routine items passed by voice vote, including approval of a 2026 budget-planning calendar and line-item transfers. The meeting concluded after a discussion about budget items, courthouse security staffing considerations and scheduling the insurance decision for a follow-up meeting.
