[1. Call to Order ]
[00:00:12]
>> I HAVE 10:00 A.M. I WILL CALL US TO ORDER.
IF EVERYONE WOULD STAND FOR THE INVOCATION AND THE PLEDGES.
>> DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU TODAY, WITH ALL THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE BESTOWED ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
THANK YOU FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COURAGEOUS PEOPLE WHO STEP UP TO PLATE EVERY DAY TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR SOMEBODY.
BE WITH OUR WORKERS, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND EVERYBODY OUT THERE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WITHOUT THEM WE WOULD BE IN TOTAL CHAOS. THANK YOU MOST OF ALL FOR YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST. AND HIS NAME, WE PRAY.
A MAN. -- AMEN "I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> EVERYONE: HONOR THE TEXAS... ROCCO RECITING THE TEXAS PLEDGE]
[4. Announcements ]
>> WE WILL START WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT IS IT IS NATIONAL I.T. PROFESSIONAL DATE.
SO THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR I.T. PEOPLE.
-- NATIONAL I.T. PROFESSIONAL DAY.
[APPLAUSE] >> WITHOUT THEM I DON'T THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO FUNCTION. BUT WITH THEM, I WONDER IF THEY AREN'T JUST WAITING FOR THE DAY TO TAKE US ALL OUT.
[LAUGHTER] >> THERE ARE OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING. DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
>> THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL CONSTITUTION WEEK.
AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE COMMISSIONERS, AND SHELLY LUTHER HAS SPONSORED THE SCHOOLS IN GRAYSON COUNTY.
SO EVERYONE WILL GET A 250 ANNIVERSARY CONSTITUTION.
WE HAVE A COUPLE PROCLAMATIONS THIS MORNING.
IF WE COULD HAVE MISS SARAH SUMMERS COME UP, AND MR. CYNIC, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND STAND HERE IN THE MIDDLE, THERE.
>> IN THE SPOTLIGHT. THIS IS JAMES, HE HAS WORKED WITH BRANCH ENERGY, FORMERLY SYNGAS, FOR 16 YEARS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND I HAVE LEARNED, A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW HIM IN HIS WORK ABOUT KEEPING PIPELINES SAVE AROUND OUR COMMUNITY. A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, THE WORD "EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT", THEY HEAR THAT, AND THEY THINK LIGHTS AND SIRENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTECTING US, AND FIREFIGHTERS RUNNING IN TO BUILDINGS, SAVING US.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND KNOWING THAT ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL THINGS THAT WE THINK OF EVERY DAY IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS ABOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. ALL OF US HAVE A ROLE IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, BUT ALSO IN PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY BACK TOGETHER. KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.
SO I REALLY AM GRATEFUL. NOT ONLY HAVE I EXPERIENCED JEAN SENEK OUT IN THE FIELD, DOING WORK TO KEEP US SAFE DURING FLOODS AND THINGS LIKE THAT BUT HE HAS SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS CALLED "THE LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE." SO YOU WOULD THINK, ISN'T THAT YOUR JOB, SARAH? WHY DO YOU HAVE A COMMITTEE FOR THAT? IT'S A CONFUSING TITLE, BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAME UP WITH IT.
NOT US. AND IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO KNOW, AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ABOUT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES SACK-- SO WE CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE WE LIVE, AND HOW WE DO THINGS TO PROTECT OURSELVES.
SO WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT WORKS WITH ME, AND WORKS ON OUR PLANS, AND THEY FOCUS PRIMARILY ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS, BUT ALSO ON THE PARTS OF OUR PLAN WHERE WE WORK ON WARNING, AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. IF SOMETHING BAD WERE TO HAPPEN, WE ARE TO EXERCISE THAT. IF SOMETHING BAD WERE TO HAPPEN.
JEAN HAS BEEN THE CHAIR SINCE 2019.
[00:05:01]
AND HE IS STEPPING DOWN NOW TODAY, AND I HAVE ENJOYED SO MUCH WORKING WITH HIM. AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAD A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL.>> THANK YOU. THE PROCLAMATION HONORING JEAN SENEK, WHERE HE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION SINCE 2019, AND WHEREAS, THROUGH HIS DEDICATED LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE, REPRESENTING BRANCH ENERGY PARTNERS LLC, HE HAS DEDICATED COUNTLESS HOURS TO BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN LOCAL INDUSTRY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES AND PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL.
AND WHEREAS HIS STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO EXECUTING THE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMITTEE RIGHT TO KNOW ACT HAS ASSURED PROPER OVERSIGHT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND BOLSTERED COUNTYWIDE DISASTER PREPA PREPAREDNESS, AND WHEREAS HIS VOLUNTARY SERVICE DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SAFETY, EDUCATION AND PROTECTION OF THE CITIZENS OF GRAYSON COUNTY.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY EXTENDS IT'S DEEPEST APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION TO JEAN SENEK, FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL TENURE, INJURING LEADERSHIP, AND PROFOUND IMPACT ON LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. WE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT THIS THIS
15TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026. >> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> NOW WE HAVE THE LADIES IN YELLOW HERE TODAY.
YOU ARE ALL BRIGHT AND SHINY. WHY DON'T YOU ALL COME AND STAND UP IN FRONT HERE. AND WE WILL READ THIS.
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FOR FIND THE GOOD DAY 2026.
WHEREAS THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GRAYSON COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING VOLUNTEERISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN, AND ENHANCING COMMUNITIES THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND ACTION.
WHEREAS FIND THE GOOD DAY, OBSERVED ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2026, ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUALS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND TO TAKE ACTION TO UPLIFT OTHERS, AND WHEREAS ON THIS DAY, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS, COMPASSION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE IN FOSTERING POSITIVE CHANGE AND BUILDING STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.
AND WHEREAS THESE ACTS OF GENEROSITY, COMPASSION, SERVICE HELP STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM AND REMIND US THAT EVEN SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS CAN MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE. THEREFORE I, BRUCE DAWSEY, TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 17TH AS "FIND THE GOOD DAY." IN GRAYSON COUNTY. AND I CALL ON ALL CITIZENS TO ENCOURAGE AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTS OF KINDNESS, VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY SERVICE IN UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING THIS 15TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN 2026 IN GRAYSON COUNTY TEXAS.
I KNOW THAT LAP-- THAT WAS A GREAT EXPLANATION.
BUT A QUICKER MORE BROAD EXPO NATION NOW.
WE SERVE THE CHILDREN OF GRAYSON COUNTY AND ALL OF THEIR BASIC NEEDS THAT WE COULD NEED. A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORT US IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THAT.
IT'S JUST ONE SMALL FRACTION OF THE DAY, WE REACH OUT TO THE CHILDREN DURING THE DAY, BUT ALL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE ARE PROVIDING EVERYTHING FROM FOOD, SHOES, BASIC PRODUCTS, EVERYTHING TO MAKE A CHILD'S LIFE EASIER.
[00:10:05]
>> ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? HEARING ON. PUBLIC COMMENTS.
ANY REQUEST TO SPEAK? NO? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO
[6. Act on Minutes]
ITEM SIX. ACT ON THE MINUTESOF SEPTEMBER 1ST 2026. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1ST 2026.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY
[7. Consent Agenda]
COMMISSIONER MARR, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HARDENBURG.CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS LISTED ON-- DIRECTLY UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE COURT AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.
THERE WILL NOT BE A SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF ITEMS UNLESS A COMMISSIONER OR CITIZEN SO REQUESTS.
IN WHICH EVENT, ITEMS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CONSIDERED IN IT'S NORMAL SEQUENCE.
I'VE NO REQUESTER MOVE THINGS. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
[8. Act on Bills ]
ARTHUR. ALL IN FAVOR? PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.ITEM EIGHT, ACT ON THE BILL, 8.1.
AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS FOR SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2026.
A .2, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $79,517 TO TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES RISK-MANAGEMENT POOL FOR FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2026 WORKER'S COMPENSATION. 8.3, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $788,604.64 TO TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HEALTH AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS POOL FOR SEPTEMBER 2026.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WRIGHT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
[9.1 Discuss and take action to approve FY26 4th Quarter Compensatory Time Pay Out. ]
HARDENBURG. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE FY26 FOURTH-QUARTER
COMPENSATORY TIME PAYOUT. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. IT IS TIME FOR THE LAST PAYOUT OF FY26 FOR COMP TIME. IN COMPARING THIS TIME TO LAST YEAR, TOTAL HOURS HAVE DID-- HAS DECREASED 55%.
AND THE AMOUNT WE ARE PAYING HAS DECREASED 55%.
-- 53%. THE TOTAL HOURS WE WILL BE PAYING OUT WILL BE 3500, AND THE TOTAL LIABILITIES $102,753.56.
AND I HAVE VERIFIED WITH SUZETTE THAT THERE IS BUDGET AVAILABLE
I APPRECIATE THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WORKING WITH US TO TRY TO BRING DOWN THE OVERTIME BURDEN, NOT ONLY JUST FOR THE FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO THAT THEY ARE THE PEOPLE THEY NEED AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME. IT'S GREAT.
>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
[9.2 Discuss and take appropriate action on approving a relocation allowance for the newly appointed Airport Manager, not to exceed $10,000.]
HARDENBURG. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES.9.2, DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION-- APPROPRIATE ACTION ON IMPROVING A RELOCATION ALLOWANCE FOR THE NEWLY APPOINTED AIRPORT MANAGER,
NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HARDENBURG, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MARR.
[9.3 Discuss and take action on the Final Plat Bub Hill Estates in Precinct 1. ]
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES. 9.3, DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON THE FINAL PLOT BUB HILL ESTATES IN PRECINCT ONE.GO AHEAD. IN FIVE DAYS I'M ON A
CRUISE SHIP. >> THIS PROPERTY OWNER OF A 38.912-ACRE TRACK, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO THREE LOTS FOR
RESIDENTIAL USE. >> A SIMPLE PLAT.
NOTHING EXCITING ABOUT THIS ONE. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARK, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[9.4 Discuss and take action on the Short Plat Richmond Addition in Precinct 4. ]
>> VERY SIMPLE ABOUT THAT ONE. >> 9.4, DISCUSS AND TAKE
ACTION... >> THIS PROPERTY OWNER HAS 11.028 ACRES ON THE WEST SIDE OF THIS TRAIL.
THEY WISH TO SUBDIVIDE INTO TWO LOTS FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.
>> IT'S ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF PROSPERO.
ABOVE TANGLEWOOD. I MOVED TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARR, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HARDENBURG, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ARTHUR. ONE AND THE SAME.
[00:15:03]
[LAUGHTER] >> ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES. WE DO NOT HAVE A NEED FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR 9.5. SO WE WILL STRIKE 9.5, WHICH
[10. Commissioners Court Comments ]
STRIKES 9.6. AND BRINGS US TO COMMISSIONER COURT COMMENTS. WE WILL START WITH COMMISSIONERHARDENBURG. >> STILL HOT AND DRY.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET COOLER WEATHER THIS WEEKEND.
MAYBE SOME RAIN. THE HEAD OF FIRE AT SHERWOOD SHORES LAST WEEK LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BURNING A BURN BARREL.
THE GRASS WAS JUST A COUPLE INCHES TALL, IT GOT OUT OF HAND AND CAUGHT A TRAILER HOUSE AND A CAR ON FIRE.
LUCKILY IT WAS NOT WORSE THAN IT WAS.
BUT BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, PULLING TRAILERS, CHAINS, THROWING CIGARETTES OUT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THE HEAD OF FIRE IS JUST SOUTH OF MY HOUSE.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT STARTED. GREAT RESPONSE OUT OF DENISON, THEY HAD IT IN CONTROL WITHIN AN ACRE AND A HALF, 2 ACRES.
IT WAS A GREAT RESPONSE. I WANT TO THANK GENE.
I THINK HE LEFT. NO ONE REALIZES THE AMOUNT OF PLANNING, AND THE AMOUNT OF PIPELINE, AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WITH ALL THIS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON.
ANYWHERE YOU ARE STANDING, THERE IS MOVING.
PEOPLE LIKE GENE ARE INVOLVED. AND TO HAVE HIM SIT IN A POSITION ON THE BOARD THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT DEAL WITH THAT IN GRAYSON COUNTY, HE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY VALUABLE. ANYWAY.
EVERYBODY BE SAFE AND DO NOT BURN ANYTHING ELSE OUTSIDE UNTIL
WE GOT SOME RAIN. >> GENE IS A VERY VALUABLE ASSET. I HAVE WORKED WITH HIM FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS ON AND OFF. AND HE KNOWS A LOT.
>> COMMISSIONER WRIGHT? >> THANK YOU SHERIFF AND YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THE COORDINATION OF MOVING ON OUR FESTIVITIES FOR 9/11. I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR ANYBODY THAT TRIES TO THROW ANY TYPE OF EVENT.
COORDINATING. KUDOS TO A JOB WELL DONE.
>> I GUESS I ACCIDENTALLY TURNED IT ON.
>> YOU ALMOST GOT FOUR YEARS BEFORE IT HAPPENED.
THAT'S PRETTY GOOD. YOU MAYBE THE FIRST ONE.
>> I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ALL SO AMERICA'S BRIGHT ORANGE THIS WEEKEND, I WILL TAKE THE COMEBACK.
>> TEXAS DID GOOD. >> AMERICA'S BRIGHTEST ORANGE.
I BELIEVE WE UPSET OREGON, WH WHICH-- THEY BEAT TEXAS TECH EARLIER IN THE YEAR? I BELIEVE THAT HAPPEN.
>> I HEARD IT WAS MOSTLY YOU NT PLAYERS THAT BEAT OREGON THIS YEAR. [LAUGHTER]
>> BUT IT HAS BEEN A VERY DRY DAY.
AND WE WILL TAKE SOME RAIN. IT'S HOT AND DRY.
>> GOING OUT THE SENTIMENTS, I WANT TO ST. JEAN AS WELL.
NOT A WIDELY KNOWN-- I WANT TO THANK GENE AS WELL.
NOT A WIDELY KNOWN COMMITTEE HE DOES.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE VALUABLE INFORMATION OF TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHATEVER YOU THINK IN EMERGENCY THAT MIGHT HAPPEN AROUND THE COUNTRY, THEY DEAL WITH IT. I ALSO WANT TO DEAL WITH THE JUNIOR LEAGUE AND ALL THE GREAT EFFORTS THAT THEY DO.
KUDOS ON LINDSAY THE SHERIFF AS WELL.
PUT IN THAT BID ON. IT'S GREAT.
GOOD JOB ON THAT ONE. AND I'M GOING TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. MCCOY. FOR GOING OUT AND GETTING THE CONSTITUTIONS AND MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THOSE AVAILABLE, THE CONSTITUTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNTRY. AND THIS THURSDAY IS CONSTITUTION DAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND-- 17TH.
AND I WANT TO THANK THOSE THAT DO ALL THAT COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN GRAYSON COUNTY. I KNOW THE BROADER ASPECTS AS WELL. YOU BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME. YOU ARE GREAT.
YOU PULL A BIG LOAD ON DOING COMMITTEE OUTREACH.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE POLITICS SIDE OF IT,, BUT YOU DO GREAT WORK. AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU
APPRECIATION ABOUT THAT. >> THANK YOU.
[00:20:03]
>> ALL RIGHT. NOT MUCH LEFT TO SAY OTHER THAN THANK YOU FOR FOR GENE FOR HIS SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE STUDENTS.
AND THANK YOU TO THE SERVICE LEAGUE FOR BRINGING ABOUT A NICE THOUGHTFUL "FIND THE GOOD DAY." THAT IS A UNIQUE PROSPECT, AND AN IDEA THAT-- JUST FIND A GOOD DAY AND BE NICE.
WE NEED MORE OF THAT IN OUR COUNTRY.
WITH THAT, YOU REMEMBER THE BURN BAN.
IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.
I WILL NOT BE HERE NEXT WEEK. I WILL FINALLY BE TAKING A VACATION. I WILL NOT HAVE MY COUNTY PHONE.
IF YOU NEED ME, CALL COMMISSIONER ARTHUR.
HE WILL GLADLY HANDLE ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS, AND PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL HIM.
HOURLY. HIS PHONE ALWAYS RINGS,
APPARENTLY. >> HE HAS IT ON ALL THE TIME.
>> WITH THAT, EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT WEEK.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.