John Catoe

The Commissioners' Court conducted its regular meeting addressing several agenda items. Key discussions included receiving reports from the County Treasurer and Compensatory Reports, approving salaries for new and transfer employees including Jailer, Patrol Deputy, and Fulltime Jailer positions, and approving payment for compensatory and vacation time for specific employees. The Court reviewed and approved the 2025 Biennial Report from the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Action was taken to approve Resolutions for the Acquisition of easements for Houston County at Hurricane Bayou. The Court authorized declaring certain inventory items as surplus and contracting with Auctioneer Express for disposal. The donation of four laptop computers to the Sheriff's department was accepted. An application for a $1000.00 reimbursement for the Cadet Program from DETCOG was approved. An interlocal agreement and Hotel Occupancy Tax Application were approved for hosting an event at Salmon Lake Park in March 2026. The contract for bridge repairs on County Road 1560 was awarded. A proposal for topographic surveying services near 4th & 5th streets was accepted. The 2026 Pay Scale for Probationary Sheriff Cadet/Deputy positions was adjusted, and a Budget Amendment was approved to cover tuition costs for two Probationary Sheriff Cadets attending the East Texas Police Academy in February 2026. Approval was granted for a fiber-optic installation proposal within the public right-of-way for CR 1820.

The Houston County Commissioners' Court meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. The court received updates from Dealer Services Network on a substation project, approved several departmental reports, and discussed the Christmas Employee Appreciation Banquet. They approved payment of compensatory and vacation time for county employees, declared received information as surplus inventory, and heard a year-end update from Houston County Search and Rescue, including the addition of a water rescue boat. The court also accepted donations for the Travis Letter project, approved a quote for a new jury application setup for the District Clerk's office, and accepted a donation for Precinct 2. Additionally, they approved adding private roads to the Houston County Map, renewed a lease for the mail machine, and discussed pending litigation and a franchise agreement for solid waste collection in executive session. Finally, they adopted a resolution and court order for the acquisition of right of way located at Hurricane Bayou.

The Commissioners' Court convened to discuss and consider action on a resolution authorizing the Grant Administrator to apply for the FY 2026 Regional Solid Waste Grants Program from DETCOG. The grant aims to equip the Community Service Officer and related equipment, as well as to plan and manage quarterly activities. The court approved the resolution.

The Houston County Commissioners' Court meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. Updates were authorized to the employee handbook policies, including those for Part Time Exempt employees and compensation. An agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was approved, allowing the Tax Assessor/Collector to issue boat/vessel and outboard motor titling. An Interlocal Agreement with Ratcliff Senior Center was approved to support senior citizen services. The sale of a 1998 Mack Truck through Auctioneer Express was approved. An Order for Exemption for Architectural Services for the Courthouse Renovation under the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grant was approved. Specific FY2025 operating expenses for Precinct 3 were designated as eligible for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Fund. Spectrum was approved to install fiber optic cable along CR 3095. Repairs to Judge Clark's office due to a water leak were approved. The FY Indigent Defense Report and the Chapter 59 Forfeiture/Seizure audit reports for FY2025 were received as information. A donation from the Houston County Career Women for the Child Welfare Board towards the Angel Tree project was accepted. The court also convened in a closed executive session to confer with an attorney about Lincoln Lumber Tax Abatement.

The Commissioners' Court meeting addressed several key items. A resolution was approved to support a petition to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the creation of a groundwater conservation district for Houston County. The court also discussed and approved the payment of election workers for the November 4, 2025 election.