Lori Caraway

The session commenced with a public hearing regarding the adoption of the 2025 Tax Year Levy, which was subsequently adopted despite one dissenting vote. The Court permitted CHRISTUS Health to utilize proceeds from an out-of-county facility sale to finance local healthcare facilities. Other key actions included the approval of the 2026 Sheriff's and Constable's Fees, renewal notices and benefit confirmations for TAC, approval of an Interlocal Participation Agreement with TAC HEBP, and approval of the Bowie County CSI program for 2025-2026. Additionally, the Court approved a Service Agreement with Waste Management for the Detention Center, corrected the amount on a BuyBoard State Contract for election printers, authorized the County Judge to sign an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Harrison County Detention Center for juvenile matters, and proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Appointments were made to the Bowie Central Appraisal District Board. Finally, the Court approved the Treasurer's Monthly Report for July 2025, approved budget adjustments, and authorized payment of accounts payable and payroll.

The regular session included several key agenda items. The Court approved a motion to revise Bowie County Election Precincts to comply with new Congressional District boundaries under H.B. 4. Additionally, the Court approved various Intercounty and External Contracts for Bowie County Juvenile Probation for the period of September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, covering numerous counties and organizations. Other actions included the approval of budget adjustments (line-item transfers) and the payment of accounts payable and payroll. The Court recessed to conduct an Executive Closed Session to deliberate on consultation with an attorney regarding litigation, real property matters, personnel matters, and economic development negotiations, before reconvening and adjourning.

The Commissioners Court meeting included a presentation regarding the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Interpretation. Key actions taken included the approval of a contract for the kitchen remodel at the Bowie County Detention Center, an agreement with I3-Software and Services LLC, and a Lease Agreement for property at 141 Plaza West with the Bowie County Community Supervision and Correction Department. The Court also approved the Auditor's Monthly Report for June and July 2025, budget adjustments (line-item transfers), and payment of accounts payable and payroll. Furthermore, authorization was granted for the County Judge to execute settlement participation and release forms related to confidential partial settlement matters in the Texas opioid multi-district litigation for Bowie County.

The Commissioners Court meeting included a Public Hearing which addressed the County Clerk's 2025-2026 Archive Plan, proposed salary increases for elected officials, the proposed 2025-2026 Budget, and the proposed 2025-2026 Tax Rate. Key actions taken during the regular agenda items included the approval of the County Clerk's Archive Plan for FY 2025-2026, acceptance of the Order Setting Salaries for Court Reporters and the Auditor and Assistants, and approval of the Longevity Pay Policy effective October 1, 2025. The Court approved the 2025-2026 Budget and Tax Rate, with one dissenting vote on each. Other approvals included accepting the 2024 Annual Financial Report and Single Audit Report, accepting Bowie County CSCD Budgets for FY 2026-2027, approving amendments to contracts with Johnson Controls and for Ballot on Demand printers, approving a payment to Four States Fiber for the Bowie County Fiber Ring Project, approving a contract with Quadient, INC, accepting a donation, approving a contract with NEMQ-Q, INC. for the Tax Assessor Collector Office, approving a lease agreement with the Bowie County CSCD, ordering an Election for November 4, 2025, approving Vote Center Locations and the Notice of Election for that election, authorizing the Elections Administrator to enter into Joint Election Agreements, approving a TIPS State Contract with Edge Office Products, approving an agreement with Tyler Technologies for Image Upload Conversion Services, approving an amendment to the Bowie County Travel Policy, approving budget adjustments, and approving payment of accounts payable and payroll. The Court did not enter into Executive Session regarding legal consultation, real property, personnel matters, or economic development negotiations, nor was action taken regarding opioid litigation settlement forms.

Key actions during the meeting included approving the purchase of three 2025 Ford Explorers for the Sheriff's Office and adopting the Election Systems and Software (ES&S) voting system version EVS 6.1.1.0, including the Ballot on Demand system. The court approved the purchase of Ballot on Demand printers and established the Bowie County Travel Policy and the Bowie County Credit Card Policy. Other approvals included the Autopsy Transport contract with Tri-State Cremation, the buyback and lease purchase of Mack Trucks for Precinct 4, the appointment of Laura Harvey as ESD #2 Secretary, authorization for the contract for Jail Commissary Services (RFP#2025-11), reappointment to the Community Health Core Board of Trustees, approval of a Transfer Administration fee transfer, approval of Treasurer's reports, budget adjustments, and payment of accounts payable and payroll.