Countywide burn ban extended

During a special called meeting of the Polk County Commissioners Court Thursday, the Court approved extending the burn ban in the unincorporated areas of the county, based on the recommendations of County Fire Marshal John Fugate and Emergency Management Coordinator Courtney Comstock.

“I’ve received information from the forest service, and it shows that we are making some improvements, but we’re still at a high risk,” Fugate said.

In other business, the Court approved procuring an administrator to prepare the application for the USDA Forest Service, Private and Tribal Forestry Fiscal Year 2023 Wildfire Defense Grant and to administer the grant if awarded. The Court appointed Comstock, Precinct 1 Commissioner Guylene Robertson and Grants and Contracts Coordinator Jessica Hutchins to a selection/rating committee to review and score all eligible proposals and make a recommendation for the selection of a grant administrator.

Action regarding the agreement between Polk County and Union Pacific Railroad Company for the closure and removal of public crossings on McCarty Road (Frank Drive) and Glover Road, located in Precinct 3, will be considered when the Court convenes for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Court will consider a request for a capital purchase to be paid from the general fund balance and included on the fiscal year 2024 reimbursement resolution for the year-end issuance of legally authorized debt, specifically, an STS360 upgrade of the video surveillance and access control at the judicial center, not to exceed $229,800.

A request from Precinct 3 Commissioner Milt Purvis for agreement and conditions of employment for new employees of the Polk County Road and Bridge offices to enroll in a commercial driver training course, to be funded by the road and bridge travel/training budget, will be discussed and considered.

The Court will consider approval of an interlocal agreement with Trinity River Authority for law enforcement services.

Prepositioned contracts for emergency disaster debris removal, reduction, disposal and other debris-related services will be considered for approval.

The Court will consider approval to advertise a request for qualifications for demolition

services for the General Land Office Hurricane Harvey buyout/acquisition program.

A resolution in support of Operation Green Light for veterans will be considered for approval.

Action regarding the re-bid for #2024-02.01 - 02.09, Precinct 2 annual bids, will be considered.

The Court will consider a request to cancel a portion of Falcone Forest Subdivision Section 1, Lot 9 (removing lot), located in Precinct 4, and re-plat the same as Falcone Forest, Section 1, Lots 9A and 9B.

Offers to purchase the following tax foreclosed properties will be considered: Lots 35 thru 38, Block 2, Thunder Mountain, Cause #T21-0223 in Precinct 1 and JNO Dickerson Survey, Abstract 211, .139 acre, Cause #T10-163 in Precinct 3.

An executive session is on the agenda, pursuant to section 551.074 of the Open Meetings Act with authorizes certain deliberations about officers and employees regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or to hear a complaint or a charge against an officer or employee. Any action, however, will be taken upon return to open session.

In personnel matters, the Court will consider approval of a personnel management system update; review and consider personnel action form requests submitted since the last meeting and review any authorized emergency hirings; and select the county sick leave pool committee by random drawing.

Additionally, the Court will consider fiscal year 2023 budget revisions and amendments, as presented by the county auditor’s office.

In old business, the Court will consider nominations, by resolution, for the Polk Central Appraisal District board members for the 2024-2025 term.

Items on the consent agenda include:

Approve minutes of the previous meeting;

Approve schedules of bills;

Approve order designating surplus property;

Receive county auditor’s monthly report, pursuant to local government code

Sec. 114.025;

Approve order designating regular terms of commissioners court for fiscal year 2024;

Approve order setting terms of the constitutional county court;

Adopt resolution expressing intent to reimburse certain fiscal year 2024 expenditures

(capital purchases) to be incurred by Polk County, Texas (reimbursement resolution);

Approve resolution in support of fiscal year 2024 indigent defense formula grant

Application;

Receive county treasurer’s monthly report for August 2023; and

Approve agreement with certified payments for credit card processing in the county treasurer’s office