In conjunction with its regular meeting Tuesday, the Polk County Commissioners Court held a budget workshop in which numerous items were considered. The Court approved employee health coverage, both major medical and ancillary services, and also approved renewing at the current rate for the 2026 contribution rate for the Texas County & District Retirement System.
In developing the fiscal year 2026 budget, County Judge Sydney Murphy reviewed several staffing recommendations. These include: a secretary for commissioners court; a public information officer, a secretary for grants and contracts; a jail nurse; a jail secretary; two deputy sheriffs; a bailiff; and 10 regular fulltime corrections officers.
Although salaries, expenses and allowances of elected officials for fiscal year 2026 were discussed, the Court will vote on that at the July 8 meeting. Additionally, action related to an optional pilot program for health benefits was tabled until the July 8 meeting.
Though discussions have been underway for the creation and implementation of an employee health clinic, the Court voted to table the matter until February 2026.
Murphy, Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity were appointed to serve on the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term.
The Court approved advertising Bid #2025-23 for the purchase of two motor graders for Precinct 4 Road & Bridge, to be paid with the Precinct 4 fund balance and American Rescue Plan Act funds.
A proposal from Soundtechs to provide public viewing accessibility for magistrate hearings, to be paid from information technology capital outlay-projects, was approved.
The Court approved a proposal from Civic Plus upgrading Nextrequest from economy to standard and implementing standard department header of websites for the sheriff’s office and office of emergency management.
A request from the sheriff’s office for an interlocal cooperation agreement with Catahoula Parish, Louisiana for the housing of Polk County inmates was approved.
Two county policies were approved – a policy regulating the assignment of space to outside agencies and a Title VI/nondiscrimination policy.
An agriculture plan from Harley Portwood Ranch for the lease of Polk County school land in Throckmorton County, Texas was approved. Three hundred fifty-eight acres of Polk County school land is being leased to the Harley Portwood Ranch and although the lease will not be up for renewal until next year, some improvements were made which necessitated the action.
The Court approved authorizing Goodwin Lasiter & Strong to advertise for water improvement construction bids on the Harvey Regional Mitigation Program, as follows: General Land Office Contract No. 24-065-044-e536 and General Land Office Contract No. 24-065-045-e537.
A public hearing was held to receive public comment on a request to replat Clearwater Springs, Lots 2 and 3 to be known as The Acres at Alabama Point, Block 2, Lots 1 and 2, located in Precinct 2. Three people spoke during the hearing and it was clarified that the restrictions that are presently in place will remain. Following the public hearing, the Court approved the request.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting. An update to Book 1 of the personnel management system was approved, reflecting three revised job descriptions and one new job description. The establishment of a public records officer’s position was approved. Additionally, the Court approved a sheriff’s request for the payment of holiday, vacation and FLSA comp time accrued as of June 16, 2025, for certain employees of the jail.
Fiscal year 2025 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office were approved.
The Court presented a proclamation in recognition of the month of June being Elder Abuse Prevention Month.
A presentation from a representative of Texas Association of Counties regarding an optional pilot program for health benefits, specifically for employees with dependents, was presented.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Lindell Mitchell of the Livingston Church of Christ opened the meeting with prayer.
The Court reconvened at 1:30 p.m. to enter into an executive session to consult with an attorney to seek advice on pending and contemplated litigation, settlements and other matters, which are confidential under the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar, on which the duty of the attorney of the county under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act. No action was taken upon return to open session.
