Rains County

The Rains County Commissioners Court convened a regular meeting to address several key items. Public testimony was heard regarding water infrastructure and road widening. The court approved accounts payable, line-item transfers, payroll and personnel changes, and the election judges through July 30, 2026. Additionally, they approved a request for right of way, surety bonds, and a quote from Peoples. The court also discussed and took action on applying for a grant to lease land for a gun range, a plat for Jesmer Estates, and the replat of Spring Creek lots. Ordinances were approved adopting the Texas Health and Safety Code for environmental enforcement, and Joe Parker was appointed as Rains County Floodplain Administrator. A Floodplain Development Permit Application was approved, and discussions were held regarding the purchase of new uniforms for the Sheriff's Department.

The Rains County Commissioners Court convened for a special meeting and public hearing to discuss the proposed 2025 property tax rate. The public hearing allowed for comments on the county's proposed ad valorem tax rate of $0.524300 per $100 valuation, which exceeds the no-new-revenue tax rate but remains below the voter-approval rate. Following the hearing, the Commissioners Court was to discuss and possibly take action to adopt the ad valorem tax rate for the 2025 tax year. The court also discussed proposed agenda items.

The Rains County Commissioners Court convened a special meeting to conduct budget workshops for the 2025-2026 proposed budget. Discussions and actions included approving the state supplement for the county court judge, making changes to Judge Brent Hilliard's budget, and removing funds for the historical society from the proposed budget. Additionally, the court addressed budget adjustments such as transferring funds from grounds keeping to maintenance, adjusting the county attorney's stipend, and modifying budgets for grant developments, the county treasurer's office, the county auditor's office, and the county tax assessor-collector's office. The court also discussed moving Glenda Parker back to the Judge's department, reducing Joe Parker's fuel/oil and maintenance budget, increasing the Human Resource publication and seminar budgets, and moving courthouse security line items back to the Sheriff's budget.

The Rains County Commissioners Court convened a regular meeting to discuss various topics. The court addressed an application for a permit pursuant to Rains County Automotive Wrecking and Salvage Yard Regulation, interlocal agreements, obtaining and placement of the Travis Letter plaque at the Courthouse, purchasing tasers for the Sheriff's office, participating in the Secondary Manufacturers Settlement Agreement, spending SB22 funds on law enforcement equipment, District and County Court Preservation/ Records Management Plans, an Asset Road Evaluation quote and agreement, a nominee for the Appraisal District Board of Directors, the Adopt A County Road Program, use of the Historical Park for the Golf Ball Drop, use of the Courthouse grounds for the Veterans' Day ceremony, environmental reports and future plans for the Hill building, HVAC systems in the Hill building, environmental report of old drivers license building, approval of the Lynn Ramsey Platt, resolution to apply for the HSBC grant to update the interview room, Collection and Assessment Contract with the Rains County Appraisal District, Workers Compensation Renewal, participation in the Opioid settlement, renewing the Interlocal agreement with ETCOG for 911 database maintenance agreement, the Asset Forfeiture Account, and granting permission for Right of Way to Farmers Electric Cooperative to cross County Road 1690.

The Commissioners Court addressed several key items, including discussions on the monument at the courthouse, assistance needed for the Head Start Program, and unplatted subdivisions. A motion was made to appoint a commissioner to handle the agenda item regarding unplatted subdivisions and contact a relevant individual. Additionally, a motion was made to table the amendment of a paragraph in the Rains County Subdivision Regulation related to plat drainage certification.