Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Houston County Commissioners approve routine budgets, personnel moves and interagency agreements
Summary
At its July 14 meeting in Lovelady, the Houston County Commissioners Court approved budget amendments, personnel appointments, interagency agreements, a County donation and HAVA-funded election equipment purchases, and created a committee to evaluate renovation project criteria.
Houston County Commissioners Court met July 14, 2026, in Lovelady and approved a series of routine administrative and operational items, including budget amendments, personnel actions, interagency agreements and the acceptance of a private donation.
The Court approved the minutes from the June 23 meeting and accepted budget amendments and payments for accounts payable and fund transfers. The bench approved salary appointments for Ruben Nava as a full-time patrol sergeant at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office (annual salary $53,000.00) and Wendy Conner as an administrative assistant in the Extension Office (bi-weekly pay $1,299.16). The Court also declared certain inventory surplus and approved interdepartmental transfers as presented.
Grants Administrator Sheila Johnson told the Court the Elections Administrator needs additional equipment and that remaining funds in the HAVA grant, together with surplus funds, will cover the purchase. The Court approved the HAVA-related expenditures.
The Court approved an amendment to the Airport Project Participation Agreement with TxDOT, a non-terminal agency agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, and the placement of a National Society Daughters of the American Revolution “250 America Patriot Marker” at the Houston County Courthouse.
Commissioners accepted a $3,500 donation from Steely Lumber Co., INC for materials used on County Road 4065 in Precinct 3. They designated Title II and Title III election percentages for FY2026 Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) payments.
The Court also authorized an exemption under Local Government Code Chapter 262.024(a)(9) allowing Commissioner Willie Kitchen to purchase personal property sold at auction without competitive bidding, and approved a waiver and liability form for the Houston County gun range.
Votes at a glance: Judge Jim Lovell and Commissioners approved the minutes, budget amendments, payment of bills, personnel appointments, surplus declarations, the TxDOT airport amendment, the Sheriff/DA agency agreement, the DAR marker placement, HAVA grant expenses, the $3,500 donation, and the procurement exemption. Most routine approvals carried unanimously; early votes recorded 4–0 (before Commissioner Kitchen joined) and later votes carried 5–0.
The Court created a committee to evaluate the criteria and assigned points for the “Renovation of Existing Bank – Phase I” project, naming Kevin Maxwell, County Judge Jim Lovell and Commissioner Willie Kitchen as members and Kevin Holbrook as an alternate. The Court entered executive session at 9:42 a.m. to discuss economic development negotiations and reconvened at 10:14 a.m.; the minutes record no public action on executive-session items.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:19 a.m.
