There may be light at the end of the tunnel for a proposed agreement between Polk County and Goodrich ISD for campus-related law enforcement services if the parties can just get all the terms in writing.
Precinct 1 Constable Scott Hughes previously provided an officer for the school district who was paid with asset forfeiture funds. However, that funding source dried up and no longer exists. Goodrich ISD has committed to paying up to $50,000 for the position. While several proposed agreements have been presented, the terms must satisfy Texas Education Agency guidelines, county government guidelines and legal guidelines before it can be officially adopted.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson has been working with Goodrich ISD and counsel to move this matter forward, but at this time, Eric Magee (the county’s attorney) needs direction from the Court on several items before presenting the final draft. These items include: structure of agreement; definition of role (peace officer presence or school resource officer); hours and leave; cost escalation; personnel authority; and vehicle and equipment.
“There’s too many open-ended things in here right now,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis said.
“Yes sir, way too many,” County Judge Sydney Murphy agreed. “Right now, the agreement is very wishy washy. I think it needs to be very, very clear that other taxpayers will not be responsible for paying.”
“We need something in writing from the school,” Murphy said.
The Court approved an expenditure from maintenance capital outlay buildings (budgeted funds) for the replacement of HVAC equipment at the jail in the amount of $5,645. The work will be conducted by Dillon AC & Heating.
A request for a capital purchase to be paid from the general fund balance and included on the fiscal year 2026 reimbursement resolution for the year-end issuance of legally authorized debt, was approved for the design, manufacture and installation of graphics for six Chevrolet Tahoes for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, purchased from onsite decals in the amount of $8,280.
Bid submissions for the re-bid of 2026-01.02, 2026-02.02, 2026-03.02 and 2026-04.02 for crude oil products annual bids were considered, with the Court opting to re-bid again.
The Court tabled action on a request to advertise for bids for the construction of the Lake Livingston Building GLO Contract No. 24-065-044-E536, one of the projects that is included along with road improvements and water system improvements.
An order authorizing the sale of fireworks during the Juneteenth fireworks period of June 14, 2026 through midnight June 19, 2026 was approved.
The Court discussed and approved going with Higginbotham to provide voluntary life insurance coverage for employees.
Sheriff Byron Lyon’s request to cancel the contract with Texas Department of Public Safety for the construction of commercial driver license facility will be discussed and approved.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting.
Fiscal year 2026 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were approved.
During informational reports, Gary Adams, representing DRG Architects, presented a condition assessment of the county’s old jail facility. Adams brought in a civil engineer, a mechanical engineer and an electrical engineer to look at the old jail. He said the recommendation to the Court is for them to continue doing what they are doing (referring to recent improvements approved for the old jail) and that they are not that far away from being through with it.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Kevan Wood of First Baptist Church opened the meeting with prayer.
