Montgomery County

The Commissioners' Court addressed several key actions, including approving the agenda and several proclamations designating April 2008 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and May 2008 as Older Americans Month. The Court approved a Resolution of Appreciation for Wendell Daniel. Numerous items were approved under the Consent Agenda, involving approvals of accounts, budget amendments across various departments (including Building Maintenance, Sheriff's office vehicle purchases, and Juvenile Probation), Treasurer reports, Tax Assessor/Collector bonds, Purchasing Department actions (authorizing bids, renewing contracts, declaring items as salvage, approving sole sources, and approving numerous change orders), and Risk Management official bonds and oaths. The Court set public hearing dates for street name changes, road acceptances, speed limit modifications, and plat approvals. Various orders were approved concerning street construction, rights-of-way, and utility permits. Further actions included approving annual dues for the North and East County Judges and Commissioners Association, granting a variance for an aerobic on-site system installation, approving position changes for Constable Precinct #1, fund transfers for the Sheriff's department and Custodial Services, adding an employee for Collections, approving line item transfers for Parks, and authorizing the submission of the Library's Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Report. Several contracts were awarded via RFP/Q, including for Long Distance Service and the Construction of Fish Creek Thoroughfare. The Court also approved an agreement for Wireless Distribution Equipment installation and utilized discretionary exemptions for wireless services and engineering services for Rayford Road Widening. An executive session was held to discuss potential litigation and a claim involving the Montgomery County Hospital District. Finally, payroll change requests were approved, and a presentation was made regarding a potential Fresh Water Supply District.

The Commissioners Court meeting addressed numerous items, beginning with the approval of the Commissioners Court Agenda and the subsequent Consent Agenda. Key actions under the Consent Agenda involved approving payment of accounts, various budget amendments across several departments including Airport, Precincts 1 and 4, Constables, and the County Court at Law 4. Purchasing items included advertising for bids (uniforms, vehicles), awarding contracts (e.g., for ePollbook Peripherals and a pickup truck for the Sheriff's Office), and approving renewals for several service contracts. Final plats were approved for subdivisions in Precinct 2 and Precinct 4. The Court also addressed matters for the County Attorney, including property lease acknowledgment and approval of various orders. Subsequent agenda items covered appointments to the Historical Commission, the adoption of the budget for Fiscal Year 2014, and the approval of the ad valorem tax rates for Maintenance and Operations and Debt Services. Further discussions included approving a grant award for the "Search Warrants Stop Drunk Drivers" program, approving various position changes and salary transfers within the Sheriff's Office, approving contract renewals for Automated Victim Notification System and Foster Care Services, approving the purchase of in-car digital cameras, and approving a proposal for an economic impact study for the Lone Star Executive Airport U.S. Customs Facility. Finally, several payroll change requests were approved.

The Commissioners' Court discussed forensic services, including the current contract with the Southeast Texas Forensic Center and the selection of temporary and permanent locations for a future forensic pathology center, as well as the employment of related personnel. Key actions included approving a resolution and order to secure property, evidence, and records from the Southeast Texas Forensic Center facility. The Court also approved a discretionary exemption for land purchase on Hilbig, authorized the Purchasing Department to use a credit card for evidence preservation needs, and approved discretionary exemptions for emergency public health steps related to preserving evidence and building out a new forensic facility. Furthermore, authorization was granted to use Contingency funds to cover necessary autopsy expenses exceeding the budget and to hire autopsy assistants.

The Commissioners' Court convened for its regular session, approving the agenda and issuing two proclamations: one designating a week for "The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution" and another designating September 2005 as "Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month." Key agenda items included a presentation regarding signage changes along I-45 and employee of the month selection. A significant portion of the meeting involved approving the Consent Agenda, which included numerous budget amendments for FY05 across various departments, approval of accounts, investment reports, and tax collection reports. The Court also authorized advertising for new bids, approved several renewal contracts for items like asphalt, uniforms, and water services, and approved change orders. Furthermore, the Court adopted the 2006 Fiscal Year Budget, fixed the 2005 Ad Valorem Tax Rates for Maintenance and Operations and Debt Service, and approved appointments to the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District 9-1-1 Board of Managers and the HGAC General Assembly/Board of Directors. Actions related to Emergency Management included approving an Emergency Management Plan and taking action to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. The Court addressed numerous final plat approvals for various subdivisions and accepted several road sections into the maintenance period. Finally, the Court entered and subsequently reconvened from an executive session concerning active and potential litigation matters.

The special session focused primarily on the claim by the Montgomery County Hospital District concerning radio frequencies and the resolution of this issue involving the Hospital District and the City of Conroe. The Court recessed to executive session to discuss the matter. Upon reconvening, it was noted that questions from the Hospital District and City of Conroe Police Department would need to be addressed in a future work session with radio experts. The deadline for the County's offer of $4 million in funding for radios to facilitate participation in the regional radio system for the Hospital District and City of Conroe was extended to March 3, 2008. Specific funding offers were detailed for both entities.