Commissioners Court - Regular Meeting

14th, 2026 meeting of the Denton County Commissioner's Court. We're glad to have so many guests with us today. And I know many people will be watching us online. So welcome and thank you for making time to tune in. At this time, I'd like to welcome for our invocation, Sydney Haas. She's going to lead us from our, if our invocation and our pledges will be led by Natalie Seegers. If you'll please stand, I want to remind everybody to please turn off your cell phones. All right. And these are our 4-H kids this morning, so we're glad to have our 4-H'ers in the house. Good morning.

All right, then our invocation. Good morning.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, they're hired. Both of them. Thank you. Thank you, ladies, for being here. All right, we have no one registered to speak for public comments. We do have a few public comment forms that were sent to us. We appreciate your public input. Thank you. All right, let's go to, we have several different presentations this morning. We're glad to have you all with us today. This is, we'll start with item 3A, which is approval of a resolution recognizing Debbie Hunter's retirement. Debbie, are you with us today? Good morning. How are you?

Good. Good to see you. Thank you for being here. And what we'll do, Debbie, is I'll read this proclamation. We'll have a few comments and we'll give you the last word. Does that sound good? That sounds good. All right. Thank you for being here. So this is a resolution honoring Debbie Hunter for 20 years of service to Denton County. The Denton County Commissioner's Court, Denton County, Texas, during a regular session on the 13th day of October 2026, considered the following resolution, whereas Deputy Bailiff Debbie Hunter has been a loyal and dedicated employee of the Denton County Sheriff's O

Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Williams. Well, Debbie, congratulations. Two decades, two decades of service, and when I read this proclamation, it makes me so pleased that number one, you stayed with us and that you sought advancement and sought new and different ways to serve the public. And I just want to say thank you on behalf of the Sheriff's Office and all those individuals that you came in contact with. And what's especially great is how you've mentored the people who are coming behind you. And so your legacy will continue once you've retired and go off to TCDRS

So thank you all. I can tell. He's generally fond of you. He is.

As are we. All right. Well, thank you. Thank you for your service. And don't be a stranger. Don't be a stranger. All right. We wish you all the best and many blessings. All right. Thank you. All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Motion passes unanimously. Let's give her a big hand. either way all right so next we're going to go ahead and order just briefly and the 4-h kids will either love me or hate me for this but i'm gonna let them get back to school so we're gonna we're gonna move them ahead in the agenda if that's okay let's do item 3d which is approval of a pres

Good morning. It's all good. There you go. Let's speak right to that microphone. You can move it around. There you go. There you go.

Perfect. Thank you very much. All right. Good morning.

That's a great headline right there. And we're very proud of you.

I think it's incredible. That's great. Absolutely.

Perfect. Thank you. Thank you for what you do. Great presentations are always doing great work, and I have this proclamation we'll read, and then we'll take a group picture. So this is Beyond Ready. This is a court proclamation recognizing National 4-H Week. This year's National 4-H Week theme is Beyond Ready. It reminds us that 4-H is building a ready generation in a world of change and equips young people with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. 4-H is America's largest youth development organization, supporting 6 million youth across the country. Whereas 4-H progr

I think they're thinking they're proud of them.

All right, thank you. Thank you. All right.

All right. Hearing no other comments, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Y'all all come down here while I'll take a group picture.

I'm going to send it to Gene and Darrell. You look good. You brought your pen. Well, I thought I better get the kids back to school. Okay, the kids are heading back to school. Let's go back to item 3B, which is approval of a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Denton County. I think Yvette has got this item, or who's doing the item? Matt?

I think I have one up here. It's the same one. Well, thank you, Yvette. I appreciate you. Let me read this proclamation. And we've got here. And we took a great picture about an hour ago out back, and it's always going to be posted online. Don got some great shots of that, so we're going to. put that out there to just kind of visually as well remind people the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So this is a court proclamation recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Denton County. And whereas while considerable progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer,

Perfect. Thank you. All right. Thank you all for your comments. Thank you for what you all do annually. And we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Yvette.

All right. Next is our item 3C, which is approval of a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. All right, Kevin, are you all going to come down? Very important topic. Very important topic. Good morning.

Will you come help me with it? Yes, sir.

Very good. Well, we're going to laugh about the training. But I will tell you, this is an important topic. This is an important topic. The threats to our systems here in the United States and coming from inside of the U.S. and from outside the U.S., that is a real threat to our way of life, to be quite honest. And we at the county provide essential county services And so very few of the things that county governments do are discretionary. Most of our things are statutorily mandated and people are counting on us. And so, so much of our business enterprises are based on technology and not paper.

This is 3E, approval of a proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October the 19th as Domestic Violence Survivors Day. Who do we have with us today, Teresa, for this? Oh, Friends of the Family. Where's Friends of the Family? There they are. There they are, Tony. Come on up. How are you? Good morning.

Perfect. Thank you. All right, we'll go ahead and read this. This is a court proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October the 19th is Domestic Violence Survivors Day. Domestic violence has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities, causing lasting physical, emotional, financial, and psychological harm, and too often the loss of life. Domestic Violence Survivors Day recognizes the courage and resilience of those who have survived abuse while affirming our collective responsibility to create communities where every person can live free from violence. A

All right. Hearing no other comments before the court, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Y'all come down and get this picture.

glasses all right next let's go to item 3f judge you're up i appreciate you being here and being patient with us this morning we got item 3f is a presentation and approval of the 2026 COUNTY BEST PRACTICES AWARD FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES TO DITTON COUNTY AND ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION AND JUDGE RITA DO YOU WANT TO COME SHE IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND SHE WAS A FORMER

And because you're in 4-H, I bet this is the only courtroom you ever see the inside of.

Perfect. Thank you. Let's do an applause, and then we'll do some comments. Thank you, Judge. I'm sorry Commissioner Edmondson could not be here with us today, and she was very supportive of this initiative as well, and I will tell you that the plan that we're in the process of implementing for the last couple of years was born out of a loss and a tragedy that was brought to our attention in this very room. And I think this is an example of an individual turning a negative situation and a loss into something positive. And so we have so many people come and advocate for different causes at that

Thank you. Jody, would you or Brad like to say anything? And Ryan, you're correct. I do want to give a public shout-out to Sheldon for all his efforts on this while he was here. He did a great job, and Commissioner Edmondson was such a proponent of this. And so when she gets back, we're all going to take a group picture with her. Put the certificate on one. Make sure we do that. Good morning, Chief.

She does a great job applying for our things. Thank you. That doesn't just happen. Thank you, Michelle. We appreciate all that you do. All right. I will move to accept this award. Second. We have a second. Any other discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Rita.

All right, let's go here. It makes us do item 4A, which is a public hearing to consider and take formal action on the approval of the amended And restated interlocal cooperation agreement for traffic regulation, a special district for the Lakes Fresh Water Supply District of Denton County, located in Commissioner Precique. We have a motion to open a public hearing.

Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. We are in a public hearing. Is there anyone in attendance wishing to speak in favor of or opposed to? Amended and restated interlocal cooperation agreement for traffic regulation anyone in attendance wishes speak in favor of or opposed to hearing none We have a motion to close the public hearing Oh, yes, I'll go ahead.

We have a motion to close the public hearing by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Move to approve. We have a motion for approval by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Okay, I'm going to skip down. Let's look at our guests in attendance. Let's go to HR items.

Item 8A, which is just a report from human resource of hiring actions for elected officials. This is presented for recording purposes only. And then let's go to item 8B, which is approval of the order maker report for reporting to elected officials, not reporting commissioners court that is outside of the county policy. And so we do have an item here. So did you... Did anyone want to speak to this one?

The other, there's three other. Chief deputies, as my understanding, 118006. Okay. Yes.

Okay. I will second it. Okay. I want to apologize to the chief deputy, our new hire for this administrative issue.

This is slightly out of policy. This is not a full amount that was conveyed to them. Correct. So I would not support that one either. And I support your position, Commissioner Mitchell. I do. This is reduced from that.

All right, hearing no other comments, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? One, three in favor, one opposed.

Let's go back to item two, which is our consent agenda. Members, are there any items off the consent agenda you'd like to pull, or do we have a motion for approval as presented?

We have a motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Our consent agenda today consists of item 2A, approval of the order-making appointments. Item 2B is approval of budget member request 2027469 to transfer $2,421 from Ditton County Fire Rescue to various line items within the fire marshal's office to cover the maintenance and operating costs associated with administrative assistant to position which was moved to the fire marshal's office but was not included in the transfer during the budget

Thank you. We have a motion by Commissioner Falconer. Chair will second. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is item 5B, acceptance and approval. of the fiscal year 2026 financial monthly reports through August 2026. Chair move for approval. Second. Second by Commissioner Williams. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 6A, approval of specifications and authority to advertise RFSQ 262930 materials testing and geotechnical services, building construction, and appointment of an evaluation c

That's just an unactionable item. That's okay. Next is save it for 7B. I'll give you that one. 7B is approval of budget. May request 2027464 for public health to increase revenues and outtake expenditures for the fiscal year 2027. Diabetes case management program through the delivery system reform incentive payment program in the amount of $505,611.00.

Second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 7C, approval of budget. May request 2027465 for technology. Technology Services to transfer $107,186 from Information Technology GIS to Public Safety and Courts Technology to fund the salary and benefits associated with the transfer to GIS Analyst 911 Coordinating Position as previously approved by the Commissioner's Court.

Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Williams. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 7D, approval of budget amendment number 2027467 for district courts to transfer $57,504 from unappropriated contingency to court support mediation services to provide the additional funding needed following adoption of the fiscal year 2027 budget. Move to approve. Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 7E, approval of bud

ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. Any other discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 7F, approval of budget. May request 2027472 to transfer $210,000 from unappropriated contingency to the drug court programs in the 211th District Court of 462nd District Court. To 467th District Court, the County Criminal Court No. 1, County Criminal Court No. 3, and County Criminal Court No. 5 to assist defendants in counseling, testing, and other services. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Chair will second. Any discussion? All in favor say a

Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falkner. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 9A, approval of contract HHS 001439300004, Amendment No. 6, between the Texas Department of State Health Services, Dishes, and Denton County for the fiscal year 2027, City's Readiness Initiative granted any appropriate action. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Nexus 9B, approval of renewal. Award contract HHS0014395007, amend

We have a motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Williams. Any discussion? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next, go to 10A, consideration of the approval. approval with conditions or disapproval of the Boerth Estates final plat located in Commissioner Precinct 4. Does the chair move for approval? Second. Second by Commissioner Williams. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 10B, consideration of the approval with conditions or disapproval of the preliminary road acceptance. with Clear Cr

Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 10D, approval of accepting the Midway Ridge Phase 3 subdivision into the county maintenance system. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 12A, approval of the 2026-2027 interlocal agreement for shared governance, communications, and dispatch services system between Denton County and the Double Oak Police Department, Double Oa

Second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. I will say that on behalf of the DCTA, I'm very proud of the partnership between Denton County and DCTA and that we have the number of officers that are on our transit system here locally. And we're working to have 100% coverage, and I think we'll be doing that this next year or so. So unlike many other transit agencies across the U.S. or around the world, we will have full coverage, and we encourage people to ride DCTA. All right. I did the commercial. Next is 12C, approval of

Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 13F. This is approval of the revision of the information security and data protection policy. This is TS012 versions 1.2 as recommended by Kevin Carr, Chief Information Officer. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell.

Second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Now to legal. We've got 13A, approval of the agreement for construction of electrical and generator upgrades. This is Phase 2 CSP 262910 between Denton County, Texas and the Energy Product Experts LLC. in the amount of $3,322,098, which the amount includes a contingency allowance for $413,382, with funding to come from Fund 1080, Permanent Improvement, CC 90100, Permanent Improvement Annual, SC 9003, Building and PR 9010, PRJCV 1198, as recommended by the Denton County Purchasing Dir

A motion by Commissioner Falker, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. All right. This is 14B, approval of the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. Member contact information form, identify an assistant director of human resources, Julie Hydock, as a billing coordinator, workers' compensation coordinator, And contact person, poor coordinator for daily matters pertaining to Denton County's TAC RMP insurance coverages as requested by the Denton County Human Resources Director. The chair will move for ap

I thought you were saying 60, and I'm like, 60. We didn't go to 60. It felt like it. My voice is doing that.

6C, approval of the report on proceeds from online surplus auction 262931 held in September 2026. I'll move to approve. Motion by Commissioner Falconer. Second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Bianca.

Let's do that. In the list. Let's do that. Okay, Julie, go ahead and read it for the record. We're going to read open 8A. Go ahead and read that. Thank you.

Appreciate you. Thank you for mentioning that. All right, let's go to item 17, which is community updates. We'll start with Commissioner Precinct 1.

Perfect. I'll give a quick shout out to the Bands of America for their North Texas regional finalists. Congratulations to Hebron High School, Flower Mound High School, Marcus High School, and Argyle High School for ending up in the top five in the North Texas region for Bands of America. We're super happy for them. And that was located here in Prosper. And Hebron High School was the 2026 Bands of America North Texas regional champion. So congrats to Hebron High School. And I would like to close this part of the meeting today just with a special acknowledgement to the for the memory of Hank Sch

We have a second by Commissioner Williams. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Did we get everything, Bianca and John? Ma'am?

All right, here are another action before the court. We are adjourned. Thank you.