Plat filing form for unapproved subdivisions approved

A plat filing form for unapproved subdivisions was approved by the Polk County Commissioners Court during its regular meeting Tuesday. Done at the recommendation of District Attorney Shelly Sitton, the form will be completed by the county clerk’s office and will basically serve as a visual “buyer beware.”

Based on the recommendation of Maintenance Superintendent Grady Woods, the Court awarded Bid No. 2025-16 for three new air conditioning units at the jail to McWilliams & Sons.

An order authorizing the sale of fireworks during the Texas Independence Day period of Feb. 25 through midnight March 2 was approved.

The Court received nuisance abatement hearing determinations for Cause Numbers AH0064, AH0072, AH0073 and AH0079, all in Precinct 1, and approved orders to abate the nuisances.

The Court also approved a resolution in support of protecting agriculture and public health from PFAs contamination, or biosolids, in the 89^th Texas Legislative Session.

A public hearing to receive public comment on the request to replat Shelter Cove Section 2, Lots 28 and 29 in Precinct 1 as Lots 28A and 29A was held, with no one speaking in favor or in opposition. Following the close of the public hearing the Court approved the request.

In personnel matters, the Court approved personnel action form requests submitted by department heads since the last meeting and reviewed two authorized emergency hires in the maintenance department.

Requests from the sheriff for paid overtime for patrol deputies performing transport services on their days off and to pay specified accrued holiday and vacation time, both to be funded by unused salaries, were approved. Additionally, the Court ratified a revision to the personnel management system for emergency leave.

Fiscal year 2025 budget revisions and amendments as presented by the county auditor’s office were approved.

Items on the consent agenda included:

• Approval of the minutes of the Jan. 28 meeting;
• Approval of the schedules of bills;
• Approval of an order designating surplus property;
• Receiving and recording personnel action forms submitted by elected officials since last meeting;
• Accepting the total loss offer for a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe;
• Approval of the reappointment of Sheriff Byron Lyons to Burke board;
• Approval of a grant contract with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services relating to Title IV-E Child Welfare Program;
• Ratifying corrected agreement with Goodwin Lasiter & Strong for General Land Office Regional Mit Program Contract E536;
• Ratifying the agreement with Maintainx for work order system;
• Approval of the submission of a grant application to Southeast Texas Resource Conservation and Development Inc. for large item collection event;
• Approval of the sheriff’s request to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for evidence/procurement manager position;
• Approval of the sheriff’s request to submit an application to the Office of the Governor Fiscal Year 2025 Criminal Justice Grant Program for special victims officer; and
• Approval of the replacement of firewall for security equipment, not to exceed $8,702, to be paid from information technologies capital outlay repair/replace equipment (budgeted funds).

In other business, County Judge Sydney Murphy showed the 2025 Wellness Committee Award that Polk County received from the Texas Association of Counties.

Jeremy Wright, with Smith Towing, addressed the Court during the open forum, thanking them for allowing his business to be on the towing service rotation. He said the business has a yard on Hwy. 146, plans to expand here in the next two years and hopes to continue the growth in Polk County.

Pastor Brett Lester of First Baptist Church Livingston opened the meeting with prayer.