Commissioners Court - Regular Meeting

Yeah, really.

All right, I'd like to welcome everyone today. Here it is, June the 23rd, with the annex as usual for our regular Commissioner's Court meeting. Everyone is here today, which is good, and we're going to begin with the invocation and our pledges. If you'd join me in standing, please. Let's pray.

Lord, thank you for a beautiful day. And Lord, watch over our employees and our first responders. Lord, help us stay in court with budget time to do this in your name and with your wisdom. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Amen.

You're welcome. All right. I do have some routine correspondence this morning. Stuff that's happening local. Of course, the Maybank Rodeo was going on this week. And the Cedar Creek Women's Golf. You might want to join that tournament. Why, is it catty? And then this weekend is the first gun show back in Kauffman County in quite some time at the fairgrounds Also, we do have some good news today and miss Lorraine if you come forward Well, they should be here And Their team has one if you get to the microphone they're coming they're coming or not coming in the door and

That's the Motley Bunch behind you. All right. Better late than never.

They're working hard. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Hard to pull them away from it. Okay. So they have just an achievement and a award. And you tell us what you all have accomplished this past year.

What have we accomplished this past year? Come closer to the microphone. We've accomplished a lot. We've accomplished a lot. So this prestige award, I think everyone's aware of it, at least my department is. We attend Texava Conference every year, and this is an award that everyone talks about when we're there. It recognizes cities, counties, states. SCHOOLS AS TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WHAT PROCESSES ARE YOU IMPLEMENTING, WHAT ARE YOUR PROCESSES, HOW DO YOU OUTSHINE EVERYONE ELSE, RIGHT? WHAT PROCESS ARE YOU PUTTING IN PLACE TO MAKE your county better, your processes better, and so forth. And so I told my team we're going to apply for it and we're going to see where it gets us, right? And we're going to shoot for the stars and hopefully we get a couple stars on our way up there. But needless to say, we worked really, really hard. We put in a lot of dedication, a lot of hours, a lot of time into this project. submission, and we were very happy to hear that we received the award. And you caught me off guard. I wasn't ready for this speech. So, you know, I'm like rambling, but I'm really, really, really happy. I'm very, very, very humbled, and it means a lot to me. I know that I've said a lot to them yesterday. I mean, it brought me to tears when I saw that email come through, because it does mean a lot to me. I'm very passionate for what I do, and I just want to make sure that I make you proud, Judge, and commissioners, and whatever I need to do to make our department better, we're here to do it. We're going to definitely try to do that.

Well, you all have come a long way, and with your leadership and your team, you've saved us millions of dollars on these projects, and you've got things rolling, and there's a good procedure in place that we didn't have before. And this is the first time that the county's ever won anything like this. So that shows you guys are working hard, you're doing the right things, and you are making us proud, and I just think it's a great accomplishment. Now, they won't get their big trophy until October. It'll be in Frisco, and some of us, if not all of us, will be there to celebrate. Congratulate you at that time.

So this is exciting time for us. So we are very excited And I know that I push my team a lot. I do maybe push them too too hard sometimes But it's it comes from a good place.

I So the judge did she do that y'all I Know Okay, that's right. Well, we certainly appreciate it. I know the commissioners are Brandi has to work with them all the time with the dollars and everything, and so there's a lot of interaction between the two departments, and it is definitely appreciated, and for our taxpayers, too. It means a lot. At the end of the day, it's all about the dollars, so getting the procedures done.

It's really a great job. I remember very well when she came to work here. She put in her application, and we hired her, and there was a couple stipulations we put on her. one of them that she had to get certain certificates and certain things. She did all of them. Yep. You know, just over and beyond. It's... I'm totally impressed. And I think she's been doing a wonderful, wonderful job because... And obviously, they think so, too. They're all over there smiling.

That's a good thing. No, they know that I appreciate them. And I'm here for the long run. I'm here to make you proud. And that's ultimately my goal. Well, you're doing that. And that's my drive every day. I definitely have the drive. They have the drive. And whenever I don't see it, I'm pushing. And they know that. And so, you know, I can't have asked for a better team. So I thank every one of you for... going along with me on this trip. And so he did pay off.

Yes, he did. And we thank you. Very good. We're going to get a picture. Y'all come up. Y'all come over here. Guys, y'all come get around.

Somebody get in the middle.

Somebody.

One, two, three. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank y'all. Okay, does anyone else have any routine correspondence at this time? Okay. No. All right, then we'll move on to the consent agenda. We have three items. Y'all all had time to look at those. First one. To discuss accept the commissioners court regular minutes meeting for June the 16th and be discussed except the commissioners court workshop minutes for June the 16th and Seed is discussion approve the application for federal assistance and the application for structural repair for the Coppola County Vance ant swcd 50s regarding the rehab of Cedar Creek 57 text 0 0 3 3 8 and An amount of $10 million, and this was from Owen Cantrell and the NRCS people. Any questions or comments? I'll make a motion to approve that for you. I have a motion. Commissioner Phillips, do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Crow makes a second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Okay, number three. Travis? He's with Petillo, Brown, and Neheal. They're going to discuss considering to approve the fiscal year 2015. independent audit report. Good morning.

Good morning. Morning, Travis. Morning, Judge, Commissioners. Thank you for having me this morning. Certainly. Hard to believe that we are through another year already. Time flies when you're having fun, as they say. But as Brandy is passing out those report copies to all of you, I did just want to take a quick moment to say thank you to everyone here in the county, but in particular to Brandy and her staff, because we know they are very busy people, and they have a lot on their plates year-round, and we ask a lot of them. As per usual, throughout this entire process, they were very prepared, very communicative, got us everything we needed when we needed it. And we are standing here today with the finished product and reading out our opinion letter from it, but it wouldn't be possible without all of the hard work that them and everyone else in the county puts in. They do a great job. But I should have in front of you each a copy of the annual financial report, single audit report, and communication with governments. I promise I will keep it to a strict one-minute-per-page limit. I was just going to very briefly run through a touch on a few highlights in each of these. If at any point there are any questions or comments, please do let me know. was going to start in the annual financial report on page one with the independent auditor's report. Now this is the same letter you're all used to seeing in prior years. That's all of the language about our responsibility as the county's auditors for auditing and opining on these financial statements. Also on the responsibility of the county's management for these financial statements and their presentation. Thing I wanted to emphasize here is the very first section towards the top of page one under opinions and under that second paragraph where it says, in our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly in all material respects. The financial position, changes in financial position as of and for the year ended September 30th, 2025. So that's what we refer to as an unmodified or a clean opinion. which means as a result of our audit, there were no material departures from generally accepted accounting principles that were noted. That is the highest level of assurance we are able to provide as the county's outside auditors. As I mentioned, remainder of the letter is mostly standard language about roles, responsibilities, things of that nature. couple pages over, the governmental fund financial statements beginning on page 12. Pages 12 and 13, the balance sheet and the income statement on pages 15 and 16 for the county's major governmental funds, essentially the GAP requires that funds that have assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenditures exceeding a certain percentage of the total for all funds be presented separately here, and the total non-major governmental funds are combined into a single column. You can see that includes, among others, the general or main operating fund of the county and the general road and bridge fund. See on page 15 on the income statement, each of those funds added, the general fund added about $3.9 million to total fund balance for FY 2025. General road and bridge fund added about $5.4 million. Bring them to an ending fund balance of $19.8 million and $20 million respectively as of 9-30-2025. Any questions, comments, et cetera so far? I was going to also very briefly point out these are in the single audit report. I'll show these under separate cover. We have a couple other letters I'd like to point out. One is on page one also of the single audit report. It's another independent auditor's report, but this one It's related to the county's federal single audit that beginning in 2025, it was previously $750,000. Now it's a million dollars in a year that spend more than that of federal funding. You are subject to the federal single audit over compliance with those grant awards and controls related to compliance. All that said, same as before, I apologize, I am out of order here. That was on page three. I was getting excited. We will backtrack to page one in a moment. I apologize. Page number three for the federal and state single audit report. But again, second paragraph down in that top section, opinion on each major federal and state program. In our opinion, the county complied in all material respects with the compliance requirements referred to above could have a direct and material effect on its major federal and state programs, which again is an unmodified or clean opinion, meaning that a result of our federal and state single audit of the county, no findings or question costs related to those grants were noted. We did have another letter, this one on page one. Again, I apologize. Sometimes they change the order on me at the last minute when they get printed. But this one is related to our responsibilities, related to our audit of the county in accordance with government auditing standards. Essentially, these standards require us to consider things like laws, regulations, contracts, the county's internal controls, things of that nature. And if noncompliance with any of those could materially impact the financial statements, we would be required to disclose it to you here in this letter. However, as a result of our audit, none of those were noted. No noncompliance with any of the above was noted. So this is simply the standard letter describing our responsibilities in accordance with those standards. Just to very briefly summarize, unmodified, clean opinion on the financial statements, as well as an unmodified, clean opinion on the federal and state single audits, and no findings or other issues to report in accordance with government auditing standards. So that is the very high-level overview. But, again, if there are any questions or anything curious about that I did not cover, we'd be happy to address those while I'm here. Brandy, do you have any questions or comments?

I don't think so. I just do want to say thank you for Tip of Till, Brown and Hill. We work very well together, and we've cleaned up a lot over the past couple of years. Thank you to my staff. Every single one of them plays a huge role in this because we touch every single department in the county, and it's a lot to keep up with, but we appreciate everybody in the county as well.

I know you all have done an excellent job, and I know your workers, they put in a lot of extra time.

They do.

And I know you all work well together, and anytime I have a question... If you don't know the answer, get the answer back real quick. And so I think it's a good team effort, just like in purchasing. But you deal with so many invoices and bills and money, it's impressive that we continue year after year to get no findings. So that's what we want.

And our fund balance is growing as expected, and we're up to about almost two and a half months' worth of reserve expenditures. So I'm happy with that.

And we're going to continue to grow that. So that's good. Travis, thank you. Appreciate it. Oh, y'all started work, too. Guys, y'all have any questions or comments? Thank you again. All right.

Thank you.

I need a motion to approve. I'll make a motion. Mr. Lane makes a motion. Do I have a second?

I'll second.

Mr. Williams second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you. Ms. Martha. Present information regarding Steel Hope Ranch. I guess she's not going to be here today. She's just an informational kind of thing, so we'll pass on that. Okay, Mr. Huey. discuss and consider and approve signing contracts with the TSSWCB for the repair of Upper East Fork Lateral Site Number 9 and the Lower East Fork Lateral Site 5. Morning, Mr. Steve.

Good morning, sir. These are essentially the same as what we have done in the past for Lower East Fork Lateral 2, which is now under repair. Um, Upper East Fork Lateral 9 is a contract in the amount of $1,768,000. Lower East Fork Lateral 5 is $3,811,000. And in these, 9 has $68,000 for administrative costs for us to administer the contract and $111,000 under Lower East Fork Lateral 5. So it looks like there will be some money in there for us. I don't know. Sometimes that goes to the state and not necessarily directly to us, but we do most of the work, so I'm going to see if we can't get the most of it.

We can get all the money if we do the work, yeah.

That's the way I see it.

But the state's not that way.

But they're trying to get this in place to hopefully go out for bids after October.

You think this will turn into the one like over in Warsaw when it's all said and done? It better not. If it turns into that, I'm gone.

Sure.

So, okay. Any questions for Steve? You know, these state and federal things we have to do to get these core lakes fixed. So, no questions? Need a motion to approve? I'll make the motion. Mr. Moore makes the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Lane makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you, Steve, once again. Number six, Mr. Chuck. Discuss, consider, and accept the treasurer's month report for May of 26. Morning, Chuck.

Good morning, Judge and commissioners. Fund 10 is in good shape, so we'll just kind of glance over these items. We're actually collateralized at 130% for the funds in American National Bank at this time. We've got about 84% of our available cash in investment accounts as of the end of the month, and we wrote 508 receipts during the month for a total of $5.7 million. And then we also have a new page. Each of you got a copy of this. We've been investing basically in the investment pools up until now, Texas Pool, Texas Class, Texas Logic, and we've added a new one, Texas Connect, which is under meter public funds investments. And we also are now into actually investing in bonds and other securities, all that are allowed under the PFIA. And so this sheet gives us a rundown basically of what has happened in that account since around May the 14th, which is when I funded it. And this is the money that is from the bond. It's the bond revenue from the juvenile detention center bonds that were sold. We put half of it into their investment pool for liquidity so we can pull that as we need the money to pay bills. And then the other half went into the securities. We've earned, as of May 31st, $37,000 basically off of the pool and $44,426 off of the investments so far. That's accrued interest. It's not realized, won't be realized until the securities mature and we get the money for them. But we're due to make... Probably, if we are able to maintain the money that we have invested right now through the end of the year and we don't have to pull any out, and if we can keep going hopefully even beyond that period, but if we can maintain that, we should add about a million to that fund just in earnings on it.

Yes, fantastic. Because right now it's at 3.81% on our yield, which is good.

That's on the pool, yes. That's on the pool, yes. If you look at the yields on the various securities, we're anything from about 3.9% up to a little over 4%.

Which in this market is good.

Yeah. Very good. So I'm glad you were able to get this accomplished for us. It's going to help us down the road. Like I said, I hope we don't have to spend any of this money until sometime next year. I hope not. You keep drawing interest. That's right. You have any comments? Okay. We need a motion, too. Good job. Approved. Accepted. I'll make a motion. Commissioner Phillips makes the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Commissioner Crowe makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Thank you. Chuck, keep up the good work. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Okay, Mr. Riggs. Discuss, consider, and approve the 2627 Renewal Notice and Benefit Confirmation regarding health, medical, and daily insurance through TAC.

Good morning, Judge Allen and commissioners. I believe you've been provided a completed renewal notice and benefit confirmation for the Texas Association of Counties Employee Benefits Pool. This packet is part of the standard renewal process for health and wellness benefits for county employees through TAC. It will be in force if approved beginning in October. this year. I am requesting approval of the packet as completed. Your approval would result in continued full payment of health or medical insurance for full-time county employees as an employment benefit without changes to the current benefit level. Approval of the packet does have budget implications as the rates for group and health medical insurance are going up 4% for Kauffman County. This is much lower increase than many counties are seeing. It's a result of the good health of county employees, the impact of county employees being wise consumers of health services, and the county's participation in wellness initiatives that TAC considers when setting our annual rates. The 4% increase will amount to about $371,000 for the year based on the participation in the last 12 months. If any new employees are approved, the cost for medical health care costs would be about $13,000 for an entire year for every new full-time position approved in the budget. Employees participating in spouse or dependent coverage would see increase in costs that are paying for insurance beyond themselves. This would be anywhere from $26 to $41 per check based on the rates that TAC has set, and depending on their level, whether it was employee and spouse or employee and family. So there's some variation there. The approved packet would result in continued use of Blue Cross Blue Shield as the provider of dental insurance for participating employees as well. Employees pick up their entire dental cost. That's not something that the county provides, so it doesn't have specific budget implications for the county. The cost for dental is going up 6.2%. The increase employees would experience will range from a little under $1 to a little over $3 per check, depending on the level of coverage. The county does not currently cover the cost, as I mentioned. Comparisons of our current benefit plan indicate that it's still a good value, even with the increase that's being proposed. The completed packet also provides some updated contacts, alternative plans, which we have looked at and evaluated, and also includes confirmation of continued wellness initiative that the county offers.

Excuse me.

of one PTO day per year when you have a wellness exam. And so that's part of the packet that when we submit to TAC that we're committed to providing that additional benefit for employees. I'll certainly do my best to answer any questions that you have, but want to present this information to you and again requesting that approval. I'm glad we're staying with Blue Cross.

In the last judges conference I went to, a lot of them were having 10% to 15% increases because... Correct. It all goes back to your county and how healthy your employees are. It does. So it's beneficial for us to, when we're hiring new folks, it's hard to say, but... Don't say it. Be nice about who you hire. Okay. Be mindful of everything. They can do the job. Okay. Anyway, it's a good deal, and I'm glad the county will pick up the 4% for employees. I think that's a good benefit for employees. Absolutely. Things are high enough as it is now, and everything adds up.

That figure is really not too much out of line with general inflation, which many times in medical it is surpassing general inflation. Yes. I can tell you there are many counties that are experiencing much higher rate increase than what we are.

And they're looking at alternatives just to keep the price down, which we don't have to do.

Or reducing the benefits of your plan and not going to a higher deductible, going to a higher copay, and that type of thing. So a lot of counties are being forced to do that.

And it was our intention to do that again this year. So, any comments? Tommy, you put a lot of work in on this, a lot of extra looking for other plans, but it's still the best plan.

And we are still continuing to evaluate. We want to provide the best benefits that we can for county employees, but we want to do that in the most efficient way for taxpayer dollars as well.

Okay. Any questions for Tommy before he leaves? Need a motion to approve?

I'll make the motion.

Mr. Moore makes the motion to have a second. I'll second. Mr. Blaine makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you, Tommy. Thank you. A lot of hard work there. Constable Johnson discussed, considered, and approved the deputation of Robbins Powell as a deputy constable for Precinct 2, constable's office to fill a vacant patrol contract position number 4404013 in the 191 Windmill Farms contract.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Good morning, Judge. Ladies and gentlemen of the court, Mr. Powell has 17 years in law enforcement. He currently holds a masterpiece officer license. And after careful consideration through the background investigation, the department feels that he would be a great asset to the department.

Where does he come from?

Point.

Yeah. Okay. Good. Any questions for the constable?

No.

I need a motion to approve.

I'll make a motion.

Ms. Phillips makes the motion. Do you have a second? I'll second. Mr. Crowell makes second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Constable Johnson once again discuss, consider, and approve Deputy Robbins Powell's to fill the vacant patrol contract position 191 Windmill Farms for Precinct 2 Constable's Office.

Yes, sir, that's correct. 191 currently has a position that has already been approved and is waiting to be filled, and Mr. Powell will go into that position that we have currently available.

Any comments or questions? Need a motion to approve? No, I'll make a motion for that, too. Mr. Phillips makes the motion. I'll second. Mr. Crow makes the second. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. J.J., you bet you. Okay, Ms. Shannon Roden. Discuss, consider, and appeal the subdivision variance decision made by the development support team for parcel UD 246893 per section 13.01.1.1 of the subdivision regulations. Morning, Shannon.

Good morning. So Ms. Ray's representative was unable to join us this morning, and so we are asking for this to be tabled until the June 30th meeting, and we just need your approval to table it.

Okay. Have a motion to the table? I'll make a motion. Mr. Lane makes the motion. Do I have a second?

I'll second.

Mr. Will makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye.

Thank you.

Motion carries. Thank you. Ms. Lorena. Discuss, consider, and approve a proposal for co-file for book preservation services for Kauffman County Clerk utilizing text max-23-92001. Good morning.

Good morning, Judge and Commissioners again. This item is for record preservation services. The proposal is being acquired through TexMOS Cooperative Contract. I recommend the purchase.

These are standard operating procedure kind of things here? Yes. Okay. Any questions? I'll make a motion. Mr. Lane makes the motion to have a second. I'll second. Mr. Crow makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Once again, Ms. Lorena. Discuss, consider, and approve purchase of a 308CXSBX excavator for Road Bridge, Precinct 1, utilized in Source Rail Contract 011723.

So this is for Commissioner Crow for Precinct 1, and the purchase meets specifications. It meets purchasing requirements, and the purchase price is $135,832. I recommend the purchase. Make a motion.

Mr. Crow makes the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Phillips makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Once again, Ms. Lorena, discuss, consider, and receive a presentation for American National Leasing Owners Vehicle Lease Purchase Program.

So we've had multiple discussions around fleet, and with that being one of the challenges of keeping our vehicle in, you know, retaining our vehicle at the end of the term. With that said, I've invited American National Leasing to discuss and provide an overview of his program. Okay. And he'll talk to us with regards to the financing and how the program would work. Eric Reid is the Vice President of American National Leasing.

Good morning, Eric. Good morning, Commissioners. Yes, sir. I believe you all have kind of an overview. There's some brochures, some information that I sent. And kind of to hit on what was said earlier, the little bit of time that I've been able to spend with Lorena and Janelle and her group, phenomenal. We work with cities, counties, school districts across the state. It's not always the case that they're as easy to work with. So definitely kudos to her and her staff. So American National Leasing Company, we've been around almost 30 years, and we deal primarily with what we call our governmental agencies. So that's going to be, like I say, cities, counties, school districts, hospital districts, things of that nature. I've got a list there that you'll see, too, of some of the current customers that we have in the area. We currently have business in nearly half of the counties in the state of Texas. And so... A couple of the things that set us apart is ours is a lease purchase program. And so I like to tell people that some of the leasing companies out there, it's kind of a glorified rental. So you have it, you pay for it, you send it back. With ours, it is a buyout at the end for typically a dollar. So maybe you have a sheriff's office vehicle that has a lot of hours, has a lot of miles. That may be something at the end of the term that you do want to flip into something else, and that's fine. But with us, from day one, Kauffman County is the owner on the title of the vehicle. We are simply a lien holder until that term has been fulfilled. You may have a road and bridge vehicle. something that doesn't have the use that maybe an SO vehicle does. And at that point, once that's paid off, you have the ability to retain ownership for a dollar. If you want to keep it for two, three, five, ten years, it's totally up to you how you want to do it. So Our process, I tell everybody, is very simple, easy to understand. One of the things that you'll see there, we do offer 12 months deferred payments. So if we were to contract a vehicle today in June, the first payment is due 12 months from now. And so that does a couple of things. It obviously allows you to get the vehicle or the heavy equipment, whatever it is that you're looking to do in service, especially if you have to do an upfit on the sheriff's side or even on the public works side. It allows you to get all of those things done and get it in service before that first annual payment is due. We do not have any mileage restrictions because the county is the owner. You drive it like you want to, not the way we want you to. It's not our vehicle. It's yours from day one. And again, this allows you, because you're the owner, it allows you to gain equity in the vehicle. I know in visiting with Lorena, she had mentioned that you guys have auctions and things that you have, exit strategies on how to get out of vehicles. You can do that. And then, of course, whatever... equity you have in that, it's yours. You can put it back in the budget. You can apply it to lease payments. You can put it down on your next vehicle. It's totally up to you on what you want to do there. Obviously, leasing has become more and more popular as we're seeing right now a 6% to 7% increase per year in vehicles. And so a lot of times people say, well, why don't we pay cash? Well, If a department has a $100,000 budget, nowadays you can get one upfit Tahoe for $100,000, or for that $100,000 annual payment, you can get three in service. And so it definitely has been a big deal lately. The other thing I would say, too, is we do not have any early repayment penalty. So if you decide to do a four-year term and in year two, revenues are good, and you decide, hey, we just want to go ahead and pay that off, we get you a 10-day payoff, and it's done. So, again, it's a very simple, easy process. We deal with a lot of different fleet dealers. We're not married to any of them. So whether it's an upfitter, dealer, whoever it is, sometimes folks have a local dealer they want to work with. We're happy to do that. The dealers that we work with are on cooperatives. So whether it's tips, buy board, source well... whoever that is, and then also we are now currently on tips. So those are all things that a lot of times questions get asked on. The other thing I would tell you is availability. So we don't have our own allocation of vehicles. And so because of that, we're not restricted to what we have in stock. So we're going to, anytime someone's looking for vehicles, heavy equipment, whatever the case may be, we're going to go out and put a blanket request out to all these dealers, and we're going to look at a couple of things. We're going to look at pricing. And we're going to look at availability. So if they have to order it, I'm going to probably go somewhere else where that's on the ground. And obviously, especially if we're in a hurry. So just wanted to kind of give you a basic overview of the company. Definitely open to any questions that you may have. Again, we work with a lot of different people in the area across the state. It's been a very good program. And again, A lot of our competitors have so many a la carte charges, things that they add in. Kind of what sets us apart is the simplicity. It's real straightforward. We have our interest and our dock fee, and that's it. That's all you'll see. Our current governmental rate, I'll just tell you, is 5.53%. I've seen governmental rates north of 7, so we're right there competitive, so.

I think it's a windfall for us based on what we've been doing, that we can own the vehicle at the end and it's up to us to do what we want. Absolutely. If we can get it for a pool car, if we can sell it, put the money back on something else. Right now we don't have that opportunity. So it's good.

That was my – one of the reasons why I reached out to American National Leasing was because we do want the option to – make, right, whether we want to keep this or sell the vehicle at the end of the term. But the flexibility, the option would be nice. And so that along with the interest rate being low and you work very quickly. We try to. Turning around vehicles quickly is also a very nice perk to deal with. I'm sure most of your brands will be Chevy Ford.

More likely you're – We'll do whatever the entity is looking for.

A lot of Dodgers being sold right now.

State contracts are doing a lot of – And you said the lease term is – So we offer a three, four, or five-year on vehicles. Yeah, because police cars wouldn't go more than three. We do three, four, or five on those as well.

It's your choice.

We do have on some of the heavy equipment, sometimes we'll go out to 10, just depends on what they're doing. Oh, yeah.

I get that. The road grader is pretty expensive now. It is. It is. I didn't know you did the heavy equipment until then.

And then, again, it's 12 months after contract execution where you would start making your payment.

We would have the option if we wanted to to do it now. Right, and that's one of the things that we do a lot is prior to budgets is go ahead and get the vehicle on the ground, get it running, and then you're not due until the end of your next budget season.

I don't want to trouble the police guards. I don't think you'd want to wait a year and start making a payment on it. I think it puts you way behind the eight mile.

And you're definitely free to do whatever you want. We have a lot of people that will make those first, you know, if they want to order a vehicle now in June, they'll make that first payment October 15th.

I get it in equipment, you know, because we're going to be there in the, it's going to be good for 10 years. Right. But troll car, you know, they're running a lot of miles. I don't want to see it in three years and turn it into four years. Drive in the car. I don't think we could last yeah, what do you think sure?

You're standing there kind of leaning into it As we know leasing has been the best thing for us yeah Because it's put safer cars on the street for the traveling public and our officers because we was driving cars with 300,000 miles on them. So I think this is a win-win. I have talked to some of these counties on his deal, and closest one to us, Ellis County, and they like it. They're good. I've talked to the sheriff, the chief, all of them. It's a good plan. I think where we can maybe save a little money is from our CID cars. We're not putting the mileage on them when they swap. We can probably hang on until a year and save a little money here and there. So you all know how I am about money. I'd like to try to save him when we can, and I think this is a better opportunity for us to do that. But still, keep safe vehicles on the road for the traveling public and also for our deputies.

How many years on the ones that you put mileage on before you try?

When we turn them in? Yeah. It's running about 100 to 125.

No, but I mean, how many years does it take to get that?

About three. Some of them's more. Well, that's what I'm saying. Yeah, we wouldn't want to go over on patrol vehicles. We wouldn't want to go over that.

That's what I'm saying. I mean, I want the person to keep that in mind because I don't want to start day one on patrol cars.

Right.

I mean, because I know the mileage. That's what I'm saying. You know, everything else, that would be up to whoever's.

budget is coming out of, but I mean... Like you said, some cars, they don't put that many miles on in a year, but the pro cars, they do.

Like I say, I mean, if we've got some of these cars, I know transports is going to have to have every three, but there's also, like the one setting up the courthouse that we use, I mean, there's no need in... Getting a new one for that one, we can hold it for a little longer because of mileage.

Something like that could drive 10 years if we wanted to. It wouldn't make any difference. Drop down between here and the jail and we could cover it.

I'm lucky enough to have a command staff that is really good. They know how I am about vehicles, and they manage it really, really well, and I think this is going to give us a better opportunity to manage our fleet even better and also save the county some money down the road.

There's definitely flexibility to any certain terms, right? We have the option to either immediately make a payment or wait a year later. And we have the options of doing the three, four, and five for vehicles for terms, five years. So we've elected four years, but that's only because that's what we're currently doing with enterprise. But we choose that that's not something that we want to continue to do. We could always change it. So there's flexibility there.

I'll say, too, real quick, kind of what, and the sheriff's definitely going to know about this, but The patrol vehicles, it really comes down to more hours than it does mileage just because they're constantly running. And so a lot of our counties, we may do patrol at three years, and then we may do some at four, depending on the usage. And so that's very flexible. We can break that out per vehicle. That's not a problem.

That's important. We have that option, and that's good. And also, there again, it goes back to our purchasing department to find you guys, think this thing works to help us.

And a question I do have is about the heavy equipment stuff. This agreement wouldn't restrict us in... Because we do a lot of leasing stuff through other, like John, RDO and all that kind of stuff. So I didn't want to make sure that if we awarded this that we're restricted just to use the equipment.

No, we're not. Nothing against you.

No, for sure.

We're not signing any specific contract or any commitment to so many cars per year. It's whatever you want to do, however many cars you want to do. you know, decide to purchase one fiscal year.

I've got some counties that they, you know, we look at their fleet at the beginning of the year, and they say, hey, we're going to pay cash for, you know, 30% of our vehicles, and we're going to run the rest through you. Some of them have the equipment. I've got some counties that I deal with one commissioner, and he uses me, and another commissioner uses, you know, the John Deere or whatever. So this would not be a contract that the whole county is latched into. Everything is per vehicle, per equipment.

It's all in our option. Absolutely. I didn't sign up to the last one. I kept myself separate.

I didn't like it. How would the equipment come about on that? Are we going to have to create a line item now for the equipment? Because with enterprise, the equipment was automatically included with the building.

We can roll 100% of the upfit in.

We're just trying to trying to picture everything all in one whack because, I mean, you know, Tahoe's now, to equip them, is almost $110,000. So being able to find the vehicles has been one of the bigger problems with Enterprise. They come to us six months before, hey, you're due 12 vehicles, but then we wouldn't see those vehicles until almost a year and a half later, and they come trickling in.

Yeah, so... Are you typically running Tahoe's?

Is that what you're looking at? We have whatever is readily available and we can find.

Yeah. So I was telling Lorena, so up until this year, Tahoe's have been the only vehicle that we had to order. If we were looking for ones and twos, we might confine those in different dealerships around the country. But for the most part, if we wanted to get what we wanted, color, two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, things like that, we ordered the Tahoe's in the open window, usually in July or August, and then they would land in February or March. and then go to the upfitter. Now, I did speak with the GM rep at the chief deputy conference last week. He said 27 is supposed to be open allocation, so we can get them year-round any time. But to answer your question, we don't have near the issue that Enterprise does as far as finding vehicles because Enterprise has their own allocation. We can go to any dealer and do business.

Okay.

Anything else?

Anything else you want to add?

I think it's a win-win, but I just wanted to bring him in and have him explain the process, the program, and show everyone that this is an option, right?

I know you and I have talked about it extensively, and I think it is a great deal.

Yeah.

Okay. Thank you for your time. I need a motion.

I'll make a motion. Mr. Crowell makes the motion to have a second.

I'll second.

Mr. Phillips makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Number 14, Ms. Serrano, once again, discuss, consider, and approve renewal bid 25-003, concrete box coverts, headwalls, and guardrails.

So this is the first renewal of the agreement. The vendor has agreed to provide the same services in the terms and pricing for the upcoming year. So I recommend moving forward with it. Okay.

Yeah. I like this deal.

Any motion? Do I need a motion? I'll make a motion. Commissioner Phillips makes the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Commissioner Moore makes a second. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Motion carries. Number 15, Commissioner Lane. Discuss, consider, and approve road use agreement between Coffman County and Contour Materials, Inc. Okay.

I don't think I have anybody here from there today, but, yeah, it was just a road agreement that we had with Contour Materials on County Road 314. Okay. Signed.

All right.

Any questions? I'll make a motion.

We have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second. I'll second. I think Mr. Crowe beat you by a nose.

I didn't even hear him. I didn't.

I have a motion and a second by Mr. Crowe. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Okay, Mr. Auditor. It is time for line item and budget transfers.

We do have a few budget amendments for additional revenue that we've received, and we do have a few regular routine lot item transfers, and we ask for the court's approval.

Okay, you all got these last week. It's time to look at them. Questions? No. I need a motion to approve. I'll make a motion. I have a motion. Commissioner Phillips, do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Moore makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Ms. Archer, once again, claims for payment.

So this week we do have accounts payable invoices, mostly made up of county road expenditures, equipment, and professional services. We also have three payrolls, a regular payroll and two election payrolls, that we would ask for the court's approval to pay.

I've seen these two since last week. Any questions? Need a motion to approve? I'll make a motion. Mr. Lane makes the motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Crow makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye.

Okay, Mr. Phillips. I'll make a motion to adjourn this meeting. Got a motion to adjourn. I have a second.

I'll second.

I thought we were going to play here.

Mr. Moore makes a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you.

And we'll start the budget workshop in about ten minutes.