Potter County

Key actions taken during the meeting included the approval of a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 related to Veterans Court Travel. The court also approved the payment of presented vouchers and recognized the insurance fund report. Discussions and actions in the agenda items included reviewing the 2025 Racial Profiling Reports for Constable Georgia Estrada (Precinct 2) and Constable Idella Jackson (Precinct 4), receiving a report from the Potter-Randall Appraisal District regarding certified tax roll revisions, approving a Multi-Use Agreement (MUA) and Resolution with TxDot for LPR camera placement, and authorizing an agreement with Optimum for ISP services at multiple county locations. The court approved awarding Formal Bid #1277-25 for the installation of an Air Handling Unit for the Detention Center to AAA Electric. Employment items approved included the new employment of Daniel Bryant as records clerk effective February 5, 2026. Reports were also heard on various Potter County Projects and the Jail Population status.

The meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of vouchers processed by the County Auditor and recognition of the insurance fund and treasurer's reports for December 2025. Key actions involved approving a memorandum of understanding for the County to participate in Texas Emergency Management Assistance Teams (TEMAT) and approving continued support for the Panhandle Regional Problem-Solving Court. The Court authorized the execution of an application for the General Victim Assistance Grant Program and approved the final invoice for the Potter County Jail Needs Assessment from Burns Architecture. The final one-year renewal for Jail Meals RFP 1206-21 with Five Star Correctional Services was approved, along with an appointment of a committee member for upcoming purchasing activities. The Court also approved the appointment of the Honorable Matt Hand to the Bail Bond Board, a lease with Duos Edge for county real property, and entering into fire monitoring agreements with Vital Communications for multiple county buildings effective February 1, 2026. The Court approved the application for the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant and authorized reimbursement for three iPads for Fire Rescue. Furthermore, approvals were granted for the March 3, 2026, Joint Primary Election Order Appointing Election Judges, acceptance of a Patient Transport UTV donation for the Fire Department, and a preventive maintenance agreement for the District Courthouse. Employment items, including one resignation and one new employment, were also approved.

The meeting addressed several key operational and legislative items. Decisions included the approval of budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2026, specifically increasing the headcount for the Tax Office by one position. The court approved the payment of vouchers as presented by the Auditor's office and recognized the insurance fund report. Significant agenda items involved public hearings and subsequent actions regarding the designation of Potter County Reinvestment Zone Number 2 and entering into a tax abatement agreement with Yellow Rose Solar LLC. A 90-day burn ban was implemented, effective from January 12, 2026, through April 12, 2026. Furthermore, the court authorized the lease of a Canon copier for Fire Station #1 and made appointments to TIRZ boards. Employment actions included approving the new employment of three firefighters. The court also discussed future county board appointment policies and a resolution supporting the exemption of Texas counties from the state-levied hotel occupancy tax.

The meeting included a 4H update from Pearl Jones, an update from John Kiehl regarding State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds (SLRF), and a report from Burns Architecture related to a needs analysis of the Potter County Detention Center. The court also discussed and approved conducting the 2026 Primary and Runoff Elections jointly, and approved a revised resolution to authorize the use of license plate readers in Potter County. Additionally, the court awarded a bid for a vocational truck for Road and Bridge, received a purchasing update, discussed a proposed tax abatement reinvestment zone, and approved the lease of four workstations for the Tax Office. The new employment of Robert Reyes as a firefighter was also approved, and updates were provided on various Potter County projects and the jail population.

The Potter County Commissioner's Court meeting addressed several key items. The minutes from the December 8, 2025, meeting were recognized. Budget amendments for FY26 were considered, but no action was taken. The approval of vouchers presented by the County Auditor's office was approved. The insurance fund report and the treasurer's November 2025 monthly report were recognized. The allocation of Child Safety Fee funds was approved, splitting the funds equally between The Bridge Advocacy Center and Amarillo Area CASA. The court recognized the completion of continuing education for the Tax Assessor-Collector. A motion to add three full-time employees to the Tax Office was denied. The purchase of vehicles for the Panhandle Auto Burglary Theft Unit was authorized, with funds reimbursed by the PABTU grant. An agreement with Axon for Taser bundles was approved. The court approved entering an interlocal agreement with Harris County Department of Education to utilize their Choice Partners Cooperative Purchasing Program. The opening of the sole proposal received for RFP #1274-25 for the lease of real property was approved, and the lease was awarded to DUOS, with authorization for them to temporarily store their facility on the property. The installation of Internet circuits at three remote county locations for failover was approved. The court approved going out for formal bid RFB #1277-25 for finishing the installation of Air Handling Unit (AHU) #15 at the LEC. The appointment of Vance Reed and Dipak Patel to the Venue District Board of Directors was recognized. The Fire Department was authorized to be paid at 14-day pay periods, with overtime to begin at 106 hours per pay period. A revision of the Payroll Processing Policy was approved. The bond renewal for the Potter County Purchasing Agent was recognized. Updates were provided on various Potter County projects. The court held an executive session regarding RFP #1274-25 and another for Yellow Rose Tax Abatement applications, but no action was taken. Upcoming agenda items include TIRZ Board Appointments.