In a full agenda, Erath County commissioners made changes to fire protection at the jail and gave approval for a project at the Sheriff’s Office to hold stray livestock.
Over the past several months, Patrol Sergeant David Southland and Sheriff Matt Coates have been working to put permanent estray hold pens near the Erath County Sheriff’s Office to hold loose livestock.
After going through the bidding process, the bid was awarded to 5G Fencing and Welding for the estray pens with a not-to-exceed amount of $40,000.
About half of the funds will come from a fund from selling off livestock that was never claimed at public auction. ECSO is required to attempt to find an owner by either brand or ear tag and hold the livestock for 18 days. After that time period, the livestock can be sold at public auction.
The rest of the needed moneywillbefundedthrough capital improvements line items. The pens are going to be made from pipe in order to provide safety.
Approval was given for the jail to terminate a fire alarm contract with Johnson Controls and enter into a new contract with Kingdom Fire Pros Alarm System Monitoring.
Jail Captain Danny Clayton stated the contract was cheaper than Johnson and a quicker response time was expected.
The court also approved a proposal for fire alarm installations by Kingdom Fire Pros for the new monitoring system.
The court approved a resolution supporting Senate Bill 1754 related to the prohibition of ad valorem property tax exemptions for renewable energy facilities and Senate Bill 878 providing for increased transparency regarding loans or grants in conjunction with a tax abatement agreement. Renewable energy includes wind, solar and battery energy storage facilities.
The bills were introduced by Senator Birdwell and the resolution was sent to Birdwell and Rep. Shelby Slawson after approval.
“We aren’t giving abatements,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said.
Hood County also passed the resolution and resident Joanna Friebele spoke in public comments urging Erath County Commissioners to approve the resolution in support of the bills.
Human Resources Director Becky Keith received permission to utilize $900 received from Texas Association of Counties (TAC), to give it back to the employees in the form of additional programming through the county’s wellness committee.
TAC is a nonprofit organization representing all 254 Texas counties and their officials and they provide incentives to the county when employee’s participate in wellness programs.
Keith said she would like to utilize the funds to offer more programs for employees and if financial incentives increase they could be utilized for the county’s workout facility improvements.
Community Response Paramedic Colby Swearingen spoke to the commissioners seeking preliminary approval to research the possibility of a partnership with the county and Cruising Care. The company would potentially be utilized to provide rides for those in need through an EMS referral for doctor’s office visits or urgent care.
The private pay company could potentially be a solution to save both residents and the county from unnecessary ambulance use and ER visits.
Commissioners gave their nod of approval for Swearingen to work with Cruising Care and bring back research to the commissioners court.
In other business the court: ■ received the presentation of the 2025 Treasurer’s Report
■ approved budget
adjustments
■ approved invoices to pay the bills
■ took no action on the burn ban
■ adopted a resolution to designate authorized signatures for the Texas Community Development Block grant program
■ gave approval for FCS Agent Andrea Brooks to travel to Oklahoma for training
■ gave approval for the Sheriff’s Office to zero value items on a list
■ Approved a right-of-way permit for United Cooperative Services on CR 419
■ Approved a donation of $250 to the Leon Bosque RC&D Council
■ Approved a HVAC Maintenance agreement for Lochridge Priest Commercial services for Annex III