The Polk County Commissioners Court approved an update to the county’s purchasing policy during its regular meeting Tuesday.
“The county auditor’s purchasing policy has long served as the framework for purchases made by county elected officials and employees. It’s also been a key component for grant applications and reporting. However, it differs in scope and detail from the purchasing and credit card policy that was adopted by the Court earlier this year,” County Judge Sydney Murphy said.
“Since the purchasing and procurement office, several procedures outlined in the auditor’s purchasing policy have become outdated, underscoring the need for an update. So to minimize confusion and ensure clarity, we consolidated these policies into a single overreaching document that governs purchasing countywide. In collaboration with purchasing and procurement, the auditor’s office and this office, we developed a comprehensive policy that presents a unified network,” Murphy said.
The Court also approved the Polk County Justice Court youth diversion program.
“The state legislature has mandated that each justice court adopt a youth diversion plan. Judge Jamie Richardson has drafted the plan for the JPs and the rest of them approved. It has also been reviewed and approved by legal counsel,” Murphy said.
In preparation for the upcoming 89th session of the Texas Legislature which convenes in January, the Court approved several resolutions Tuesday.
These include: a resolution in opposition to proposed legislation that would limit local governments’ ability to communicate with the Texas Legislature; a resolution in support of addressing ambiguities in subdivision platting exceptions; a resolution in support of a county motor fuel tax exemption; a resolution in support of local option homestead exemption based on dollar amount; a resolution in support of state reimbursement to counties for detention costs; and a resolution in support of legislation that would allow counties to create buffer zones for energy storage facilities.
The Court discussed and acted on the allocation of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. The following were approved: an amendment to the memorandum of understanding between Polk County and Providence Water Supply Company; an amendment to the memorandum of understanding between Polk County and Tempe Water Supply Corporation; an amendment to the memorandum of understanding between Polk County and Onalaska Water and Gas Supply Corporation; and memorandums of understanding with the Polk County Road & Bridge precincts.
Change Order No. 2 for the 2021 ARPA-SLFRF Water Plant improvements at Providence Water Supply Company was approved.
Action regarding expenditures from the maintenance capital outlay buildings (budgeted funds) was taken. The Court approved renovations to the animal control facility which will be conducted by True Line Construction at a cost of $133,802 and also approved an $11,912 bid from Best Air to replace the air conditioning unit at the Polk County Jail.
A request from AgriLife for the capital purchase of a cattle trailer from Longhorn Trailer Sales not to exceed $35,000 was approved. Although $25,000 had already been approved for the purchase, a 24-foot trailer was found for $34,900 and the Court approved the purchase, with the difference coming out of contingency funds.
The Court entered into an executive session to consult with an attorney to discuss and consider action regarding an information technology security incident. However, no action was taken upon return to open session.
A change order for the courthouse restoration project plumbing modifications in the amount of $264,494.42 was approved.
The Court was slated to discuss and consider action regarding RFP #2025-13 for psychological testing evaluations for law enforcement. However, as only one bid was received, the Court opted to reject it and rebid it after the holidays.
A resolution to certify and utilize fiscal year 2024 IAH Secure Adult Detention Facility revenues was approved.
The Court approved advertising a request for bids to replace the generator at the Dunbar Gym.
Additionally, the Court approved cancelling the Dec. 27 meeting.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action forms submitted by
department heads since the last meeting; approved a request from County Court at Law Judge Tom Brown to use his remaining discretionary funds for a one-time bonus for each member of his staff in lieu of a step increase; and approved paying biweekly FLSA compensation for all jail and telecommunications staff beginning with the Dec. 2 payroll and continuing through Sept. 21, utilizing available funds from the respective salary line items.
Fiscal year 2024 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office will be considered for approval.
Several presentations were made during the portion of the meeting reserved for informational reports – the Polk County Safety Committee’s “Excellence in Safety Award” for fiscal year 2024 was presented to Jodie Richey of the Polk County Criminal District Attorney’s Office; the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association awarded to the Polk County Auditor’s Office for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2023; and the completed American Rescue Plan Act broadband partnership projects were reviewed.
In old business, the Court approved the minutes of the Nov. 18 meeting.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Lindell Mitchell of the Livingston Church of Christ opened the meeting with prayer.
