County beginning budget work for fiscal year 2025

By Emily Banks Wooten
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The Polk County Commissioners Court held a workshop on the fiscal year 2025 budget during its regular meeting Tuesday, discussing the long-range impact of changes to longevity pay, requests for new positions and raises and capital purchases.

Discussing the long-range impact of changes to longevity policy, County Judge Sydney Murphy said $291,500 was budgeted in 2023, the first year of changes and that the actual came in a little bit less than $20,000 less, so this time for 2024 they have budgeted $268,500. She said they are projecting the longevity for 2025 to be a little over $300,000 and then in 2026, to be a little over $328,000. “We have to remember that the amount of money that we invest in longevity is going to increase slowly and steadily,” she said.

Looking at requests for new positions and raises, Murphy said that eight new positions have been requested in addition to needed positions at the jail and sheriff’s office which would total approximately $850,839 and six reclassifications which would be about $55,000. She said raise requests ranged from 2½% to 18%. “Today, payroll with no changes is right under $22 million. Total payroll with requested additions and reclassifications would come out to approximately $23 million and total payroll with requested additions, reclassifications and a 2½% raise would be $23,295,800,” Murphy said, adding that the total increase in budget from 2023 to 2024 was $3 million.

Applications for the following subdivisions were approved – Grand Oaks Subdivision in Precinct 2, Kelley Grounds Subdivision in Precinct 4 and Creekside Subdivision located in Precinct 4.

The Court took action regarding Nationwide Retirement Solutions, which is similar to a 401K and some employees have become concerned because they’re unable to withdraw those funds until they separate from the county or turn 73. However, the Court has the option to remodel the plan and that is what it approved doing.

The server hosting the commissioners court meetings is set to reach its end of life in December 2024. The county clerk, the county judge’s office and the IT department have been looking at alternative options. Transition to a new system is expected to take 20-24 weeks so they are looking at making the transition sooner rather than later. With CivicPlus agenda and meeting management software, there will be a one-time setup fee of $13,965 and a recurring annual service fee of $7,500, guaranteed for three years. Integrated Data Solutions presently charges $850 a month so hopefully there will be some long-term cost savings with additional functionality. The item was approved.

Grant administration services amendment three to the agreement between Polk County and Grantworks Inc. for the General Land Office Buyout Program, GLO Contract No. 20-066-018-C125, was approved.

The Court approved accepting the FEMA Hazard Mitigation DR-4885 grant award and approved the subrecipient agreement from the Texas Department of Emergency Management in support of the Resort Country Water Supply Company water plant improvement.

An amended agreement with Dr. Raymond Luna for pre-employment medical screenings was approved.

Although the Court was slated to consider action regarding a request for a memorandum of understanding between Polk County and the Polk County Precinct 1 constable for compensation of a reserve deputy constable to be funded solely from the Precinct 1 constable asset forfeitures, action on the item was tabled at the request the Precinct 1 constable.

A request from the sheriff’s office for the replacement of handheld radios, to be purchased with rural law enforcement grant, tobacco grant and insurance replacement funds was discussed and approved.

The Court discussed and approved advertising for requests for bids and proposals as follows: cutting and purchase of timber on tracts of land known as WM Jones Abstract 39, Tracts 16-2A, 17-2A, 18-2A, 22-4 and 24-1; replacement of fuel tracking system at the maintenance department and Precinct 2 Road and Bridge, to be funded from the general fund and road and bridge fund respectively; and concrete pad at maintenance department, to be funded from maintenance capital outlay-buildings (budgeted funds).

Fiscal year 2024 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office, were approved. An update to the personnel management system was also approved.

In old business, the Court approved filing a claim with the 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, 2024.

During informational reports, there was a brief workshop on public information and the open meetings act. Murphy has been presenting a series of short informative workshops each meeting “to clarify for the public and our employees why we do what we do.” She explained that the public information act influences everything the Court does, providing full and complete information regarding the official business of the governing body and any kind of transactions. She further explained that the open meetings act provides for public access to the meetings.

Murphy also reported on the Wellness Committee Walk to Better Health Challenge slated for May 6-20, 2024. Called “Small Steps, Big Progress,” this is an interdepartmental challenge in which county departments will compete.

Items on the consent agenda included:

• Approval of the minutes of the April 9 regular session;

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• Approval of the schedules of bills;

• Receipt of the county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to Local Government Code Sec. 114.025;

• Receipt of and recording of personnel action forms submitted by elected officials since the last meeting;

• Recording of continuing education transcripts for elected officials;

• Approval and recording of governor’s bond and oath of office for tax assessor-collector for the term beginning May 1, 2024;

• Receipt of letter of resignation from Tax Assessor-Collector Steven Hullihen, effective April 30, 2024;

• Receipt of county treasurer’s fiscal year 2024 second quarter investment report;

• Receipt of county treasurer’s fiscal year 2024 second quarter report;

• Receipt of county treasurer’s report for March 2024;

• Approval of an update to the master street address guide;

• Ratifying approval of an addendum to the engagement letter dated Feb. 18, 2022 with Belt Harris & Pechacek;

• Approval of roadway easement extensions at Triple Creek Loop located in Precinct 2;

• Receipt of certificate of project final completion from Longroad Energy Holdings LLC for the Umbriel Solar tax abatement agreement dated Nov. 10, 2020;

• Ratifying approval of a resolution for the flock program approved on Feb. 13, 2024;

• Approval of a resolution authorizing submission of distance learning telemedicine grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture, authorizing the county judge to act on behalf of Polk County in all matters related to the application, and pledging that Polk County will comply with grant requirements;

• Approval of a resolution in support of request for federal appropriations to the Texas Department of Transportation to advance the upgrade of U.S. Hwy. 59 across the Trinity River bridge and into San Jacinto County; and

• Approval of an interlocal agreement between Polk County and Omnia Partners for cooperative purchasing.

Sean Ferry of the Pine Forest Baptist Church opened the meeting with prayer.