During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Polk County Commissioners Court entered into an executive session to discuss and consider filling the positions of maintenance superintendent and human resources director. Upon return to open session, the item was tabled.
Maintenance Superintendent Jay Burks is retiring effective Dec. 31, although his last physical day is Nov. 22. Human Resources Director Fern Caddenhead is resigning effective Nov. 15.
The Court approved advertising a request for proposals for a psychologist to perform pre-employment evaluations for law enforcement.
A request from Anco Insurance to reassign the lease of office space at 321 N. Beatty to Hub International was approved. Anco has been sold to Hub but the lease agreement will remain the same.
The Court approved action regarding a request to the Texas Department of Transportation for surplus materials.
The Court discussed and approved action to proceed with project selection for the General Land Office Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program Competition. The county may submit up to three projects for consideration.
A request for a certificate of exemption to exempt from county subdivision regulations the development of Abstract 82 James Wood Survey (4.04 acres) located in Precinct 3 and consisting of one tract, with access to existing public road and no other common areas or streets, while remaining an agriculture exempt property, was approved.
Although the Court was to consider approval, approval upon conditions met, or rejection of High Ridge Ranch Subdivision located in Precinct 3, action on the matter was tabled.
The Texas Legislature during its 88th session passed SB 1893 which prohibits the use of certain social media applications and services on governmental entity devices, specifically TikTok and subsequent versions, so the Court discussed and approved a prohibited technologies policy.
A property tax exemption for childcare facilities amendment, Texas Proposition 2, was discussed and considered for approval in response to a request from a local childcare facility to authorize a property tax exemption.
An order establishing a personal bond office was approved and will be administered through the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace’s office.
The Court approved amending the Texas Historical Commission grant award for supplemental funding to reflect the award of an additional $492,221 to the county from the Texas Historical Commission.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action forms submitted by department heads and reviewed authorized hires – three in human resources, two in maintenance and one in aging. Additionally, the Court approved requests to pay out straight-time hours earned by the maintenance supervisor and human resources director upon separation, utilizing available funds from the maintenance and human resources salary line items.
The Court approved – pending negotiations – renewal of an agreement with Integrated Data Services for the county clerk’s imaging software maintenance for fiscal year 2025 and also approved renewal of an agreement with I3 Verticals for icon services, to include cloud hosting services.
Fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were approved.
Items on the consent agenda included:
The Court presented two proclamations – one recognizing Nov. 11-17 as Polk County Recycles Week, and the other recognizing the 100th birthday of Nita Mahaffey.
During informational reports, a report on Friends of Lake Livingston was presented and an increase in gate rate fees at the Polk County Landfill, effective Dec. 1, was announced.
Rev. Kenneth Plattenburg of Providence Baptist Church in Leggett opened the meeting with prayer.
