Colt M. Christian

The Commissioners Court meeting included standard proceedings such as the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. The consent agenda involved numerous actions, including approving the minutes from the previous session, reviewing financial reports, approving claims, receiving various monthly departmental reports (District Clerk, Huntsville Fire Department, Appraisal District, Investment Report), and approving the disposal of several depreciated or aged assets via auction or disposal (including a motor grader, Dell computers, and rim/wheel balancing equipment). Additionally, the court approved annual dues for the County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas and an annual maintenance contract for Stryker EMS equipment. Key statutory agenda items included authorizing the District Attorney's Office to apply for the Victims Assistance Coordinator Grant for fiscal year 2027 and approving the deposit of FEMA funds into the OEM Project Fund. The IT agenda saw approval for a one-year VMWare renewal with authorization to solicit RFQs due to cost increases, and the Texas Cybersecurity Framework Assessment Report was passed for later review. Maintenance involved approving a new sidewalk installation for DPS. Financial actions included approving a budget amendment for the fiscal year and approving the purchase of meals for county employees using Healthy County funds. Purchasing actions covered the acquisition of computer hardware for the Sheriff's Office, and the award of Grant Administration Services and Engineering Services for the CDBG-DR Program for Precincts 1 and 2. The court also approved the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for Constable Pct. 3 and the purchase of a Roller for Precinct 3. Later discussions included a presentation on recovery consulting and a vote to send solicitation for grant administration services for a Road Project Agreement with the USDA Forest Service out for RFP, though the Financial Plan for that agreement was passed. The court approved new seat covers for the Commissioners Court and approved the 2026 IRS Mileage Rate increase to 72.5 cents. Planning and Development actions included approving a subdivision application and denying a variance request for On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations. The session concluded with an Executive Session regarding item 22 and item 38, followed by adjournment.

The meeting commenced with the performance of the Pledges and prayer. The court addressed a lengthy Consent Agenda, which included approval of previous minutes from December 29, 2025, review of disbursement and financial reports, approval of claims, receipt of various departmental reports for November 2025, and approval for the disposal of several assets (iPad Pro, Dell OptiPlex computers, and a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado). Additionally, the court received a Starlink mini router from SpaceX. Under the Statutory Agenda, the court approved a Purchase Order for Frazer remounts for EMS, despite a total price increase of $27,275 to be covered by EMS Contingency. A presentation was given regarding employee salaries, job descriptions, and tenure equity review. Action was taken to approve the upfitting for three Sheriff's Office Tahoes using a cooperative contract and to award the solicitation for Diesel Generators, pending District Attorney review. The court approved an order amending the budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Presentations were heard from Life Flight Memorial Hermann regarding establishing a base in Walker County, and from the City of Mount Belview on their Capital Improvement Plan. The court approved a Request for Information (RFI) concerning Walker County Comprehensive Planning, approved the placement of an Alamo Letter Landmark, and chose not to enact a Burn Ban at the time. Finally, variances were approved for On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations and Subdivision Regulations concerning properties on Mockingbird Road and Gourd Creek Cemetery Road, respectively.

The meeting commenced with routine items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge, followed by a prayer. Key actions during the regular session included approving the consent agenda, with the exception of item 9 (resignation of CERT Coordinator Joe Connell) which was discussed separately before being approved. Discussions and actions related to statutory agenda items included the purchase of tire changing and balancing equipment for the Jail mechanic shop. During an Executive Session, the Court discussed and approved redistricting in accordance with the 89th Legislature's 2nd Called Session. Other significant actions involved authorizing a Microsoft True-Up/Enterprise Update Statement, approving the purchase of a used Etnyre Asphalt Distributor and a John Deere Jet Machine, and approving amendments to the operating and personnel budgets for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Further agenda items covered the approval of Engineering Services Contracts for DRRP applications, appointments to the Walker County ESD #1 and ESD #2 Boards, and a discussion regarding adding the New Waverly Community Club Arena to Walker County insurance and waiving associated development permit fees. A public hearing and subsequent approval were granted for Plat # 2025-016 (a replat in Wildwood Shores Subdivision), and approval was given for a Comcast utility installation request. Variances to On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations were also approved for a property on Oak Bend Drive. During the subsequent workshop, the award of solicitation C2360-26-011 for Financial Advisor was awarded to D.A. Davidson & Co., and approval was granted for the DRRP application submission.

The Commissioners Court meeting convened on December 1, 2025, and recessed until December 2, 2025, at which time a quorum was established. Key agenda items involved the approval of numerous consent agenda items, including disbursement reports and various monthly reports from departments like the District Clerk, Appraisal District, Fire Department, and Planning & Development. Actions were taken regarding the disposal or auction of several fixed assets across various departments. Under the statutory agenda, the Court approved roof work for JP2, JP3, and JP4 buildings, and the replacement of flooring in the Commissioners Courtroom. Significant purchasing actions included approving the purchase and upfitting of a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe for Constable Pct. 3 using ICE Grant Funds, the purchase of a John Deere tractor for Road and Bridge Precinct 2, and the purchase of Motorola Band Mobile radios. The Court approved an application for the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program (DRRP) 1452, approved a resolution designating authorized signatories for CDBG-DR programs, and approved a resolution detailing several Civil Rights policies. Grant Administrative Contracts for F356 and F357 were also approved. During Executive Session, the Court approved retaining legal counsel in Cause No. 4:25-CV-05052. Planning & Development actions included approving variances for flood plain management regulations for an existing structure and for a utility solar farm project application, approving a variance for On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations, approving a Voluntary Right of Way Dedication, and approving utility installation requests from Comcast of Houston, LLC for several roads. The Planning and Development Engineer position was approved for advertising. The meeting concluded with a workshop presentation from D.A Davidson & Co. and public comment regarding flooding at the Veteran's museum.

The Commissioners Court meeting covered several general items, including the pledges and prayer. The Consent Agenda involved approving disbursements, receiving financial information, approving claims/invoices, receiving reports from various departments (Appraisal District, Huntsville Fire Department, County Clerk), and approving the annual renewal of certification for sewage systems. The statutory agenda addressed the Special Prosecution Unit, the purchase of a 2026 Toyota Hybrid RAV4, and action on Order 2026-20 to approve the reconfiguration of county election precincts following the 2025 congressional redistricting. Purchasing actions included approving the acquisition of Franklin A70 Devices, awarding a contract for diesel generator installation, approving a Memorandum of Agreement with New Waverly 4H, adding the New Waverly Community Club Arena to county insurance, and purchasing a 2014 Freightliner M2. Significant Planning & Development activity included a public hearing and subsequent discussion regarding amendments to the Walker County Subdivision Regulations, with no final action taken on one specific amendment after an executive session. The court approved administrative determinations related to construction dates concerning floodplain regulations, granted variances for On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations and subdivision regulations, and approved several utility installation requests for fiber optic cable and natural gas pipelines from Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC, and Trident Intrastate Pipeline, LLC/Kinder Morgan across various county roads.