Options for the provision of school safety services continue to be explored by the Polk County Commissioners Court, with the topic even coming up during the portion of the meeting reserved for public comments.
“I’m here to voice concern for the safety of the children, teachers and staff of Goodrich ISD. They now have been without a school resource officer since March 4. Officer Rosario even voluntarily worked the entire month of February for free. That’s how important the safety of our children is to him, the constable and GISD,” Toni Cochran Hughes said.
“I do not understand for the life of me why the agreement between GISD and Constable Precinct 1 cannot at least be placed on the agenda for a vote. Commissioner Robertson, you were elected to represent the people of Precinct 1 and that includes the children of Goodrich ISD, a school that you once led. Livingston ISD and Onalaska ISD, where some of your children and grandchildren go to school, have SROs. Don’t you think the children of Goodrich and the other unincorporated school districts deserve the same,” Cochran Hughes asked.
Summarizing the issue, County Judge Sydney Murph said, “Precinct 1 Constable (Scott) Hughes has requested that the proposed interlocal cooperation agreement between his office and Goodrich ISD be placed back on the agenda for approval. However, as previously discussed, an interlocal agreement of this nature must be between the school district and the county. The agreement as presented remains structured as a contract between the school district and the constable’s office, obligating the county to provide a salaried deputy constable – a position that does not currently exist – to serve at the school for 1,520 hours per year.
“The Court recognizes and appreciates the strong working relationship Constable Hughes and his office have built with Goodrich ISD over the past several years, and the value that law enforcement presence has provided to the school community. The goal is not to end that relationship, but to formalize it in a way that is legally sound, fiscally responsible, and equitable to all Polk County taxpayers,” Murphy said.
“The financial implications of the arrangement as proposed are significant. A fulltime deputy currently costs Polk County at least $78,607 annually. With Goodrich ISD contributing $50,000, the county would subsidize the remaining $28,607 for services provided exclusively to one school district – equating to approximately $106 per student. If that same per-student subsidy were applied equitably across all Polk County school districts, the county’s financial obligation would be $748,550,” Murphy said.
“If Sheriff Lyons’ requested wage increase takes effect Oct. 1, the cost of a fulltime deputy would rise to approximately $91,527, increasing the county’s total equitable obligation across all districts to over $1,086,623 annually. Is the Court prepared to establish a precedent that could obligate Polk County taxpayers to that level of expenditure, particularly given that Goodrich ISD already maintains a Guardian Program that satisfies its statutory school safety obligations,” Murphy said.
“Eric Magee is currently working to determine whether a more limited agreement, structured between the appropriate parties and equitable to all Polk County taxpayers, can still accomplish the shared goal of maintaining a law enforcement presence at Goodrich ISD campuses through the constable’s office. In addition, Commissioner Robertson has expressed interest in establishing an ad hoc advisory committee – consisting of at least one member of the commissioners court, two law enforcement representatives, and two ISD professionals – to continue researching options and bring a recommendation back to the Court,” Murphy said.
Action on the item was tabled until the April 28 meeting.
Having held a public hearing to receive comment on a proposed industrial high-load site impact permit policy and fee schedule, the Court approved both the policy and fee schedule which are effective immediately. (See related story this issue.) The regulations and fees may be viewed on the county website at www.polktx.gov under public notices.
The Court received the fiscal year 2027 budget adopted by the Polk Central Appraisal District on March 26, 2026. It reflects an increase of $61,909, which is a 2.97% increase over last year. The county’s payment is budgeted to increase by $42,857, which is a 1.06% increase.
A request from Sheriff Byron Lyons to secure $35,135 to repair or replace the purge fans in the original section of the Polk County Jail was approved. The sheriff’s request is part of ongoing efforts to return all Polk County inmates to facilities within the county, contingent upon available staffing.
“On Dec. 23, 2025, the Court approved a feasibility study from DRG Architects for re-opening the original Polk County Jail. To date, we haven’t received any status updates from the sheriff’s office regarding the extent of the work that will be needed to reopen the old jail,” Murphy said.
“We’re going to have to start looking at adding another 250-bed facility. It’s going to be a task to get it up and running,” Lyons said.
“We’re looking at bonds. We’ll have to go to the voters,” Murphy said.
“We got to figure out how we’re going to staff it,” Purvis said.
The Court approved a county-owned shared-use vehicle use policy and procedures. The policy establishes the rules and responsibilities for the use of county-owned shared-use vehicles that are checked out through the purchasing/procurement office for official county business. The policy applies to all county employees authorized to operate county-owned vehicles.
Based on the recommendation of the purchasing and procurement office, the Court approved rebidding the asphalt product AE-P due to the vendor price increase exceeding 25%, associated with increased crude oil pricing. The product was previously awarded at $123.90 per gallon, but the proposed new prices would increase to $157.50 per gallon, representing a 27% increase due to rising crude oil prices associated with the Iranian crisis.
The Court approved a request to exempt Pridgen RV Park in Precinct 2 from the Polk County RV Parks regulations. The owner of the RV park has requested approval to upgrade the existing septic system from a conventional system, which was installed prior to the current ownership of the property, to an aerobic septic system.
A modification to General Land Office Contract 24-065-045-E537 to reallocate available funds was approved.
The Court also approved moving forward with a proposed settlement with six Remnant Defendants, and approved authorization for the county judge or other duly authorized official to execute the combined subdivision participation and release form on behalf of the county in connection with the multidistrict litigation In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting.
Fiscal year 2026 budget revisions, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were approved.
Several proclamations were presented during the portion of the meeting reserved for informational reports – for Soil & Water Stewardship Conservation Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Public Safety Telecommunications Week and Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Retired United Methodist Minister Ernie Turney opened the meeting with prayer.
