County court raises concerns over bills, bids

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COLDSPRING — San Jacinto County Commissioners found improper items on the agenda for its Wednesday meeting and will use the services of District Attorney Todd Dillon to have those resolved.

Discussion of the items was moved into executive session.

One issue was a bid that was received this month for road materials that was initially awarded in September 2024, and payment on a contract for IT services for the Sheriff’s Office that apparently did not follow proper purchasing procedures.

The bid from James Construction of Spring was received after a load of limestone base was delivered for Precinct 1 Road and Bridge from the company that complicated the issue; Dillon said that bids cannot be approved retroactively, and that the County Auditor cannot pay for items that were not part of a properly executed bid.

The delivered material cost $84,600; Dillon suggested the county contact James Construction to retrieve their material, but also said that he has concerns about possible litigation based on how the county

A $13,000 payment to Quantum Communications also caused concern as County Judge Fritz Faulkner said it was part of a $122,000 contract that was signed “illegally by the chief deputy.”

County Sheriff Sam Houston said he was aware of the issue and is looking into it; Faulkner said that the contract is for services on 77 computers, but Houston only could account for 51.

Following a discussion in executive session, the court voted to pay all bills except for Quantum Communications bill, and said Dillon will resolve the situation.

A separate matter discussed behind closed doors was a lawsuit for seizure of a 320E Caterpillar excavator; Faulkner said that there is a proposed settlement will allow the county to own the machine once it pays off a $35,754.40 bank lien.

In other business, the county:

  • approved variance for a lot split in the David M. Bullock survey;
  • approved an agreement with San Jacinto County Master Gardeners for use of county property;
  • approved a policy for retiree medical insurance with a county contribution of $400 per enrollee; and
  • approved a state-required ban on the use of TikTok on county equipment.