A lot of ground was covered during the regular meeting of the Polk County Commissioners Court Tuesday, though much of it had to do with Flock cameras and five-year contracts.
Five people addressed the Court during the public comments portion of the meeting. Carolyn Bischoff and Richard Burr expressed concerns about the use of Flock cameras, commenting that while they are not opposed to them as a law enforcement tool, they have some questions and feel there should be some restraints imposed. Randy Moore expressed concern about two items on the agenda that involve five-year contracts and whether that would be binding for the incoming court in January. Billy Lambeth had questions about a town hall meeting slated for 2 p.m. Friday at Dunbar and Darrell Russell expressed a plethora of concerns ranging from the county judge to the district attorney to funding for the sheriff’s office.
Funding for the Flock camera system for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, including consideration of the sheriff’s request for $45,000 in county funding and determination of a funding source, was discussed. Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark DuBose said he requested the item be placed on the agenda, added that the actions of other law enforcement agencies are giving it a bad name. The Court tabled action on the item at the request of Sheriff Byron Lyons.
A five-year professional services agreement with Goodwin Lasiter Strong for engineering services related to subdivision regulation and industrial high-load permitting was on the agenda. Expressing his disagreement with the item, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity said he would prefer a one-year contract. “I’m happy with them and think they’ve done a good job,” he said, adding that he just thinks five years is too long. The Court ended up approving a one-year contract.
Action on an independent contractor legal services agreement with Michael D. Matthews II for civil legal and advisory services to the commissioners court and the county judge’s office for an initial five-year term beginning Oct. 1 was tabled after District Attorney Shelly Sitton said she would like to look at the numbers.
Also tabled was action relating to the two proposals that were received regarding the upgrade or replacement of the jail door control and access system.
The Court approved four requests for capital purchases to be paid from the general fund balance and included on the fiscal year 2027 reimbursement resolution for year-end issuance of legally authorized debt. These included: camera equipment and licenses from Axon Enterprises with five-year terms for law enforcement not to exceed $150,000; two metal detectors from Avant-Garde for courthouse security, not to exceed $27,500. One will replace the existing one and the other, which is mobile, will be used at the renovated courthouse when trials are held there.; annual technology rotation purchase from CDW-G, not to exceed $46,400; and new voting system from Hart InterCivic Inc. for the county clerk's office not to exceed $644,000.00. This will replace the existing voting equipment which is now obsolete.
A recycling program advisory committee was appointed. It will include Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity, Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis, Human Resources Director James Mostek, Maintenance Superintendent Grady Woods, Chief Deputy Andy Lowrie and two members (of their choosing) of the current Polk County Recycling & Beautification Board.
Having reviewed four proposals for the purchase of a replacement forklift for the maintenance department, the Court approved the proposal from Hendrix Machinery LLC.
The Court approved a proposal from NEOGOV for a 48-month governmentjobs.com subscription, in the total amount of $8,596.22, with year one costs of $1,558.90 to be paid from information technology contracts (budgeted funds).
The county judge’s execution of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging subrecipient and/or direct purchase service contract with Polk County for senior center operations, congregate meals, and home delivered meals, for a three-year term effective Oct. 1, was ratified. In related activity, the Polk County aging policy for congregate meals at the senior centers was approved.
The Court approved a community agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Region 5 Prevention Resource Center of the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council of Deep East Texas for the period of Sept. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027, and authorized the county judge to execute the agreement.
Action regarding prepositioned contracts for emergency disaster debris removal, reduction, disposal and other debris-related services with DRC Emergency Services LLC and James W. Turner Construction Ltd. was approved.
The Court approved rebids for tires and material hauling; an update to the master street address guide to correct the portion of Kings Village Road in Precinct 2 that is not county maintained; and a resolution in support of Operation Green Light for Veterans.
In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting; a request from the sheriff for pay out of accrued FLSA comp and law enforcement credit hours as specified for sheriff, jail and courthouse security staff; and updates to the personnel management system, Book I, job inventory.
The Court entered into an executive session to deliberate the environmental enforcement and fire marshal departments and positions. Fire Marshal/Chief Investigator John Fugate submitted a letter of resignation effective Sept. 30 which was accepted by the Court. His reserve deputy, Bradley Bass, will perform plan reviews and inspections until the position is filled.
Additionally, the Court updated the job descriptions for the environmental enforcement officer, county fire marshal/fire investigator and county fire marshal/chief investigator. The county presently only has one fire marshal position, but the chief investigator position is more robust. Both descriptions will be posted allowing people to apply for the position they are eligible for, thus creating greater flexibility for the court to get it filled.
Fiscal year 2026 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were approved. Also approved was a resolution amending the hotel occupancy tax fund budget to increase the pro-rata hotel tax share by $35,186.96 for ADA-compliant parking and walkway improvements at the Polk County Memorial Museum.
During informational reports, the Court received the Polk Central Appraisal District 2027-2028 Re-Appraisal Plan which is required by state law to be updated every two years.
Items on the consent agenda included:
Michael Haffner of First Baptist Church Providence opened the meeting with prayer.
