A large contingent of supporters of the Polk County Recycling Center attended the regular meeting of the Polk County Commissioners Court Tuesday to plead with the Court to keep it open.
Polk County Recycling & Beautification (PCRB), the nonprofit organization that partnered with Polk County to provide recycling service for the community, recently announced it will end operation of the recycling center by the end of the year. The item was on Tuesday’s court agenda to discuss options for future county recycling operations.
Since opening in 2021, over 420,000 pounds of recyclable material has been diverted from the Polk County Landfill.
Though the program was sustained by grants, donations and the sale of recyclable materials, and the recycling center was manned by one paid staff member and a team of volunteers, the operation is no longer sustainable due to diminishing returns as well as a diminishing pool of volunteers and the relocation of some of those involved.
Representatives are asking the county to take over the operation and hope the county will continue to offer some type of recycling program. A formal request was made Tuesday with three options being presented – continue as is with one paid staff member from a county office or department; reduce the footprint of the operation; or discontinue completely.
Addressing the Court in favor of continuing operations at the center were Kari Miller, Susan Muzny, John Muzny and Richard Burr.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity, Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis and County Judge Sydney Murphy each expressed interest in finding a way to keep the operation up and running.
“At minimum, it would require one fulltime employee. I would be happy to put a cost proposal together,” Miller said, as the Court thanked her.
An agreement between Polk County and Goodrich ISD for the assignment of a school resource officer under the direction and supervision of the Precinct 1 constable was approved.
The Court approved an order to adopt an updated policy for mass gatherings and outdoor music festivals in the unincorporated areas of Polk County, pursuant to Chapter 751 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Chapter 2104 of the Texas Occupations Code.
The following expenditure from maintenance capital outlay buildings (budgeted funds) was approved – roof repair at the Polk County Office Annex in the amount of $7,000 to be completed by Brazos Urethane Inc.
The Court approved action regarding the IAH Public Facility Corporation Board of Directors, adding Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis to replace Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson who resigned from the board.
New vehicle leases for fiscal year 2027 were approved, as was authorization for the county judge to execute the lease order agreements upon release.
The Court approved advertising for bids for courthouse landscaping.
Change order #2 for Texas Materials on the General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Regional Mitigation Road Projects, GLO Contract No. 24-065-045-E536 was approved.
Two change orders relating to the General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Regional Mitigation Water Projects were approved. One modifies the scopes for Shiloh Ridge and Soda Water Supply Corporations’ projects and the other modifies the scope for Damascus Stryker Water Supply Corporation project. The modifications are due to time constraints affected by inclement weather and do not affect the cost of any of the projects.
The Court approved a revised resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Texas General Land Office Community Development and Revitalization Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery 2024 Disasters Local Communities Program, superseding the resolution adopted May 12, 2026.
An offer to purchase tax foreclosed properties was approved, specifically, Lots 125, 127 and 129, Section 1, Hoot Owl Hollow, Cause #T23-0228, located in Precinct 1.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting and reviewed an authorized emergency hire in human resources. A request for the payment of vacation time accrued by Jail Administrator Larry Dawson was approved. The Court approved a request from the district clerk to reclassify one deputy clerk to court clerk and also approved revised job descriptions submitted by the sheriff’s office.
Fiscal year 2026 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office were approved.
The Court discussed the fiscal year 2027 budget development.
In old business, the Court approved the re-bid of cracked fuel products.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Methodist Minister Ernie Turney opened the meeting with prayer.
