Court approves federal fund request for highway upgrade

The Polk County Commissioners Court approved a resolution in support of a request for federal appropriations to the Texas Department of Transportation to advance the upgrade of US 59 across the Trinity River Bridge and into San Jacinto County during its April 22 regular meeting.

County Judge Sydney Murphy reported that $127.7 million is the estimated cost of the project which is already in the Unified Transportation Program and that the request is being made through Congressman Morgan Luttrell’s office.

Changing the official county website domain name from co.polk.tx.us to polktx.gov for increased security, ease of use and federal compliance was approved.

The Court accepted the low bid from Richardson Construction for the demolition and removal of a gas station in Moscow. Also approved were bids for oil, gas, grease and diesel.

In an attempt to streamline the multiple phone services throughout the county offices and become more efficient, the Court approved advertising a request for proposals for voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services and also appointed a scoring committee.

A fire protection service agreement with Cintas was approved. Submitted by the county maintenance department, the 12-month contract will consolidate operations under one provider.

A memorandum of understanding between the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Polk County and Polk County Animal Control was approved.

The Court approved a request from the sheriff’s office for an interlocal cooperation agreement with Beauregard Parish, Louisiana for the housing of Polk County inmates at a daily rate of $60 per inmate.

Also approved was a memorandum of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for a warrant service officer program. According to Sheriff Byron Lyons, this would certify individuals in the sheriff’s department to serve detainers.

Action on a request from the Polk County Historical Commission for the distribution of hotel/motel occupancy tax funds for tourism-related activities was tabled.

The Court approved funding and proceeding with projects in the GLO Hurricane Harvey Regional Mitigation Grants 24-065-045-E537 and 24-065-044-E536.

A resolution to submit an application to the indigent defense improvement grant program was approved.

The Court conditionally approved Midway Acres, Phase 6 Subdivision, located in Precinct 4.

In personnel matters, the Court approved a request from the district attorney’s office for the payment of overtime and straight time accrued as of March 31.

During informational reports, a proclamation recognizing Earth Day was presented. The tire collection event scheduled for May 3 at the Polk County Commerce Center was mentioned. Additionally, the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for fiscal year 2025 was presented.

In old business, the Court approved the minutes of the March 25 meeting.

Items on the consent agenda included:

• Approval of the minutes of the April 8 meeting with corrections;
• Approval of the schedules of bills;
• Approval of an order designating surplus property;
• Receiving the county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to Local Government Code Sec. 114.025;
• Receiving the county treasurer’s report for March 2025;
• Receiving the county treasurer’s fiscal year 2025 second quarter report;
• Receiving the county treasurer’s fiscal year 2025 second quarter investment report;
• Receiving and recording personnel action forms submitted by elected officials since last meeting;
• Approval of Precinct 2 Constable Bill Cunningham’s request to appoint Oscar Hinajosa to reserve deputy constable;
• Receiving and recording amended Transamerica life insurance 2025 renewal notice and benefit confirmation;
• Receiving and recording continuing education transcripts for elected officials;
• Receiving and recording Umbriel Solar’s annual tax abatement report;
• Approval to file claim with state comptroller, pursuant to Government Code, Sec. 61.0015(b), for reimbursement of a portion of the juror fees paid by Polk County during the period of Jan. 1 through March 31;
• Approval of an interlocal agreement between Polk County and Corrigan-Camden ISD for the county’s provision of election equipment and services for the May 3 election, as recommended by the county clerk;
• Approval of a request for certificate of exemption to exempt from county subdivision regulations the development of 2.04 acres of the A. Viesca survey, Abstract no. 77, lot 17 (Forest Springs, unrecorded subdivision) located in Precinct 1 and consisting of two tracts with access to existing public road and no other common areas or streets; and
• Approval of the participating agency agreement with Sylogistgov’s Victim Services Suite (IVSS) as a vendor for Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for statewide automated victim notification services grant.

Lindell Mitchell from the Livingston Church of Christ opened the meeting with prayer.