Jasper County Commissioners Court

The Jasper County Commissioners Court met on Monday, November 18th, 2024 in a Regular Session and covered the following agenda items:

First, the Court heard from Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jason Hollyfield, who presented the monthly Jail report, advising that the Sheriff’s Office had invoiced a total of $40,680.00 for housing inmates from Nacogdoches, Newton and Tyler Counties, as well as from the City of Jasper and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe for the month of October, 2024, which the Court approved.

Next, the Court voted to approve the payment of the accrued compensatory overtime for Sheriff’s Office employees for the past six-month period, totaling $86,541.83. This payment is made from the prisoner reimbursement fund, derived from housing inmates from other jurisdictions.

Concluding law enforcement business, the Court voted to accept a donation in the amount of $8,000.00 from Venture Global Pipeline, LNG on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office to purchase an aerial drone for use in manhunts, missing person searches, major disasters, or wildfires. Lieutenant Hollyfield advised that the drone will be equipped with night vision capabilities and could be utilized by Jasper County for a large array of purposes during all types of lighting conditions.

Hollyfield further advised that the purchase price of the drone would be $8,348.99 and the Sheriff’s Office would provide the remaining $348.99 out of their 2024 budget, which the Court approved.

Next, the Court voted to reappoint the board members to Jasper County’s Historical Commission for 2025-2026. The local Historical Commission is made up of volunteers who serve to preserve and share the history of Jasper County for the benefit of future generations.

In grant related matters, the Court voted to award a contract to the grant firm David J. Waxman, Inc. of Jasper, Texas for administrative services in the upcoming FY2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant cycle through the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The Court typically utilizes this grant through TDA to assist local freshwater water supply entities in Jasper County with upgrading or expanding their infrastructure and noted that this year’s funding cycle will allow for grants up to $750,000.00.

The Court then approved a resolution authorizing the submission of an application for funding under this grant round.

In other grant business, the Court voted to select up to three road and bridge replacement and improvement projects from Commissioner Precincts 2, 3 and 4 to compete for funding under the upcoming $136 million round in the Texas General Land Office’s Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program Grant. Counties submitting application will have a ten percent commitment and can compete for grant funding ranging from $500K to $20 million.

Next, the Court voted to approve the receipt of $19,318.00 in reclaimed asphalt road material from the Texas Department of Transportation. This material is part of an annual Local Government Assistance Program sponsored by TxDOT, and the allocation of materials is split equally between the four Precinct Commissioners for use in repairing county roads.

Concluding grant business, the Court voted to accept two grants from the United States Forest Service in the amounts of $9,904,895 and $250,000 for a community wildfire prevention program to assist the Court with developing a countywide wildfire prevention plan and to implement a wildfire fuels prevention program to remove dried debris from roadways and other areas throughout Jasper County to minimize the spread of wildfires.

In other business, the Court approved a settlement tied to the nationwide opioid lawsuits from Kroger in the amount of $18,742.63.

Next, the Court voted to utilize the services of Vested Networks out of Lewisville, Texas for voice telephone services for Jasper County offices. A few months ago, the Court authorized Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Holloway to utilize the services at his office as a pilot project and the results were favorable. As part of the changeover to Vested Network to VOIP services, the Court anticipates approximately a $30,000 per year cost savings over the current AT&T landline services.

Next, the Court voted to adopt a resolution provided by the Tax Assessor/Collector Joe Hawthorn certifying the 2024 current tax roll and then approved the canvass of the 2024 General Election results presented by County Clerk Holly Thomas.

Concluding business, I presented the monthly civil and criminal fee report on behalf of District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy who was busy up in the District Court with a criminal trial.

That covers it for this Court meeting. Have a great week and as always, feel free to give me a call if you need anything my way.

Mark Allen, County Judge

Jasper County, Texas