Hardin County commissioners approve routine fiscal items, road namings and several administrative actions

Hardin County Commissioners Court approved a slate of routine fiscal and administrative items at its June 9 meeting, including payment of county bills, acceptance of audited emergency-services financial statements, several personnel and procurement actions, and new road names for 911 addressing.

The court approved the May 26 meeting minutes and accepted the county treasurer’s request to cancel registered claims from that meeting while approving today’s cash statement. County Treasurer Deborah McWilliams reported the county’s general checking balance as $813,232.15. County Auditor Candace McKenna presented expenditures and transfers including pre-approved expenditures of $2,197,567.51 for May 27–28, $128,865.26 for June 3–4, and June 9 expenditures of $1,450,471.72; the court voted to authorize payment of county bills.

Commissioners discussed an estimated 18% increase in next year’s health insurance premiums and asked the HR director to solicit bids and work with benefits staff to explore options. TAC, the county’s insurance representative, will present cost and coverage options to the court on July 14. Commissioners noted limits on the number of court members who may attend certain benefit discussions and requested staff follow up with details.

On routine audits and administrative items the court accepted audited financial statements for Hardin County ESD No. 4 (year ending Sept. 30, 2025) and ESD No. 6 (year ending Dec. 31, 2025). The court approved naming several private roads in Precinct 3 to support 911 addressing — Rugged Pine Drive, Barred Owl Road, Button Drive, Liberty Drive, Sundance Drive and Timberland Street — and directed staff to notify emergency responders of the new names.

The court approved a temporary clerk position in Floodplain Administration with pay not to exceed $15.91 per hour to cover staffing while the floodplain administrator attends training; the retired clerk Sarah Gry agreed to assist in the interim. HR Director Mrs. Harrington won court approval to enroll county officials and employees who use government computers at least 25% of the time in TAC’s 2026 cybersecurity training at $8 per user and noted forthcoming AI-awareness training also required by statute.

Purchasing agent Misty Sim reported only one proposal was received for Texas Water Development Board grant management services; the court voted to reject the single proposal, readvertise, and return with bids on June 23. Commissioners authorized the purchasing agent to solicit bids for the GLO CDBG El Pento channel and detention pond improvements project in Precinct 4 under contract number 24-065-065-E596.

Elections Administrator Alyssa Freeman presented invoices for software license and support renewal (a 4% increase from the prior year); the court confirmed the expense is in the elections budget and approved payment. The court also authorized the County Judge to execute a memorandum of understanding with the city of Silby and Justice of the Peace Robert Ward Jr. for Justice Court occupancy of space in the city’s municipal court building in exchange for associate judge services.

The court approved updates to the retiree health insurance and years-of-service policies, adopted an updated Equal Employment Opportunity/affirmative action plan (to be re-signed after a minor correction), and approved a budget amendment creating a $10,400 equipment purchase line item within the building maintenance budget.

On equipment procurement the court authorized purchase of a 2026 Hustler X1 52-inch zero-turn mower (model 943787) with a Kawasaki FX850 engine for $10,400 from Hardin County Tractor Inc., with a trade-in of an irreparable 2008 Hustler mower.

The court concluded with several non-agenda announcements, including reminders about community events and a suggestion to form a committee to examine county equipment repair and replacement strategies. The meeting adjourned with the next regular court date set for the court’s next session.