Votes at a glance: Wichita County Commissioners approve consent items, energy addendum and judicial pay changes

Wichita County Commissioners on Sept. 20 approved a series of routine and administrative items by unanimous votes, including an amended consent agenda, payment of regular bills, minutes ratification, authorization for an energy contract addendum, re-advertisement of a fencing bid, and a budget amendment to adjust judicial pay.

The court moved quickly through the consent agenda after removing one consent item (repairs to a constable vehicle). The amended consent agenda passed 4-0.

Key votes at the meeting (all approved, 4-0 unless otherwise noted):

- Approve consent agenda as amended (item removing repair to Constable Little's 2015 Chevy Tahoe). Motion by Commissioner Ken Cannon; second by Commissioner Beauchamp. Outcome: approved, 4-0.

- Approve regular bills for payment, verify payroll taxes filed, and authorize the county treasurer to disperse payroll/bills. Motion recorded as moved by Commissioner Beauchamp; second not fully specified in transcript. Outcome: approved, 4-0.

- Approve and ratify minutes of the Sept. 23, 2025, regular session. Motion by Commissioner Beauchamp; second by Commissioner Buchanan. Outcome: approved, 4-0.

- Authorize the county judge to sign a Reliant Energy addendum to add one meter to the county's electricity contract at the previously negotiated kilowatt-hour price (7.9 cents/kWh). Motion by Commissioner Kincannon; second by Commissioner Beauchamp. Outcome: approved, 4-0.

- No bids received for approximately 100 feet of pipe fencing with stock panels at the Precinct 4 yard; Commissioners authorized re-advertisement under the same parameters. Motion by Commissioner Watts; second by Commissioner Beauchamp. Outcome: approved, 4-0.

- Approve a budget amendment to incorporate legislative changes to judicial compensation effective Sept. 1; the amendment set salary adjustments for elected county court-at-law judges to $209,000 with a corresponding transfer from the general fund to account for the difference. Motion made by County Judge Loke; second by Commissioner Beauchamp. Outcome: approved, 4-0. County staff noted they are working with the Texas Comptroller's Judiciary Division on reimbursement procedures.

All motions were taken by voice vote and recorded as unanimous in the transcript. Several commissioners noted follow-up steps (e.g., renegotiation details for Reliant, re-advertisement timeline for the fence bid and further discussion of medical services later in the agenda).

The court also announced a public health benefits workshop scheduled for 1 p.m. the same day.