Jack County commissioners approve routine claims, hire outside auditor and adopt private road

The Jack County Commissioners Court on Nov. 10 approved a set of routine and oversight actions, including payment of accounts, a consent agenda of administrative items, hiring an outside auditor for a prior fiscal year and the adoption of a private road onto the county master road list.

Judge Brian Keith Umphress moved to approve all accounts and claims submitted; Commissioner Terry Ward seconded. The motion passed with a 3-0 tally; Commissioner Gary Oliver abstained from that vote and Commissioner Salazar was not present for the meeting. The court then approved a multi-item consent agenda—covering minutes, tax reports, a right-of-way crossing authorization for Boley Ranch, acceptance of CPE credits for the county auditor, a proclamation for Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center, adoption of Jack County Historical Commission bylaws, a county longevity increment policy for FY26, and the oath and official bond for Deputy Sheriff Alyssa Gonzalez—on a 4-0 vote after a motion by Commissioner Henry Birdwell and a second by Commissioner Gary Oliver.

On financial oversight, the court approved an engagement letter with Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC to conduct an outside audit for the year ending Sept. 30, 2022. Commissioner Terry Ward made the motion, Commissioner Gary Oliver seconded, and the court approved the engagement unanimously (4-0).

The court also approved an AirMed Care Site membership plan and authorized payroll deductions for employee upgrades, after a motion by Commissioner Henry Birdwell that passed 4-0.

For county property management, the court authorized the Sheriff’s Office to sell designated salvage items through Renee Bates Auctions; the Sheriff’s Office will supply a list of items for future meetings. The court approved that authorization 4-0 following a motion by Judge Umphress and a second by Commissioner Henry Birdwell.

Commissioner Gary Oliver moved to identify and adopt Armadillo Lane (located one mile south off FM 2127 and east off State Highway 148 in Precinct 1) as a private road to be listed in the master road list held by Nortex; Judge Umphress seconded and the motion passed 4-0.

One item involving courthouse furnishings—disposition of old district courtroom seating—was tabled and referred to the Jack County Historical Commission for assistance after a motion by Commissioner Oliver and second by Commissioner Ward, passed 4-0.

The court discussed commissioner precinct operations and received department-head reports; no formal action was taken on those matters. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Payment of accounts and claims: motion by Judge Brian Keith Umphress; seconded by Commissioner Terry Ward; passed (3 yes, 0 no) with Commissioner Gary Oliver recorded as abstaining; Commissioner Salazar absent. - Consent agenda (minutes; tax reports; right-of-way for Boley Ranch; CPE credit acceptance; Wise Hope Shelter proclamation; Historical Commission bylaws; longevity policy FY26; oath and bond for Deputy Sheriff Alyssa Gonzalez): motion by Commissioner Henry Birdwell; second by Commissioner Gary Oliver; passed 4-0. - Engagement letter with Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC to audit fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022: motion by Commissioner Terry Ward; second by Commissioner Gary Oliver; passed 4-0. - AirMed Care Site membership and payroll deductions: motion by Commissioner Henry Birdwell; second by Commissioner Terry Ward; passed 4-0. - Sheriffs' Office salvage sales via Renee Bates Auctions: motion by Judge Umphress; second by Commissioner Henry Birdwell; passed 4-0. - Identification and adoption of Armadillo Lane to the Nortex Master Road list: motion by Commissioner Gary Oliver; second by Judge Umphress; passed 4-0. - Disposition of old district courtroom seating: motion by Commissioner Gary Oliver to table and refer to the Historical Commission; second by Commissioner Terry Ward; passed 4-0.

The court listed future agenda items including consideration of an outside architect and continued attention to courtroom seating.