Burleson County Commissioners approve DPS interlocal contract, appointments and $26,690 change order

The Burleson County Commissioners Court met Dec. 23 in Caldwell and approved a series of contracts, appointments and budget items, including an interlocal cooperation contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety and a $26,690 change order for the county’s fire alarm and smoke-evacuation system.

County Judge Keith Schroeder called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., led the pledge to the U.S. and Texas flags and opened the public forum. In the sheriff’s report, Chief William “Bill” Rios said the jail held 50 people — 41 men and 9 women — and listed current vacancies: three dispatch positions, two patrol positions, three jailers and a part-time nurse; Sgt. Stohler (Department of Public Safety) said an administrative opening will occur Jan. 1.

The court approved the consent agenda, accepting three donations (a combined $1,490 to local nonprofit programs) and several FY2024 budget amendments including SB22 grant funds. On separate motions the court:

• Approved an interlocal cooperation contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety (motion by Commissioner David Hildebrand, second by Commissioner Dwayne Faust). The motion passed unanimously.

• Appointed 11 members to the Burleson County Historical Commission, including Melynda Giesenschlag, Lind Houck and Novella Hronek (motion by Commissioner Bobby Urbanosky, second by Commissioner Vincent Svec). The motion passed unanimously.

• Approved the replat of Lots 39 & 40 into Lot 39A, Block 1, Birch Creek Forest Subdivision, Section V (motion by Commissioner Urbanosky, second by Commissioner Svec). The motion passed unanimously.

• Deputized two new deputy sheriffs, Chad Hewitt and Matthew Saldana (motion by Commissioner Urbanosky, second by Commissioner Svec). The motion passed unanimously.

• Accepted presentation of the FY2023 external financial audit by Ben Crowe of Crowe, LLP (motion by Commissioner Vincent Svec, second by Commissioner Dwayne Faust). The motion passed unanimously.

• Approved a letter of support for the City of Caldwell’s application to the Texas Department of Transportation’s FY25 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program for a potential bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure project (motion by Commissioner Hildebrand, second by Commissioner Faust). The motion passed unanimously.

• Approved supplements to UBEO Contract 1658934: an increase in the monthly image allowance to $4,432 (an increase of $457 per month) and a separate $50-per-month multifunction unit lease for the Veterans Office. Both items passed unanimously.

• Approved Change Order No. 2 with A-1 First & Security adding conduit, boxes and labor for the fire alarm/smoke evacuation system project for an additional $26,690 (motion by Commissioner Hildebrand, second by Commissioner Svec). The motion passed unanimously.

• Authorized overtime pay for jailers for the month of January (motion by Commissioner Svec, second by Commissioner Faust). The motion passed unanimously.

• Approved bonds for a list of county officials pending receipt, and authorized payment of bills. The court then adjourned (motions by Commissioner Hildebrand with various seconders). Both motions passed unanimously.

In the auditor’s report the county’s December sales tax receipts were $113,106, down 3.9% from December 2023. The auditor also reported FY2024 Chapter 59 asset forfeiture balances for filings made by the County Attorney and Sheriff.

The court went into executive session with legal counsel at 9:08 a.m. and reconvened at 10:01 a.m.; no motions from executive session were recorded in the public minutes. The court’s next procedural step reflected in the minutes was approval of routine financial and personnel items before adjournment.