County Judge Lisa Johnson and the Hemphill County Commissioners' Court met Dec. 29 in Canadian and approved several routine motions, including a temporary countywide burn ban and a budget transfer to fund pavilion renovations.
The court voted to enact a 45-day burn ban after Commissioner Dale Schafer moved the motion and Commissioner Dawn Webb seconded; the motion carried without opposition. The restriction is intended as a short-term fire-safety measure pending further review.
Commissioners authorized a transfer of $230,000 from county reserves to Public Facilities — Capital Outlay to cover exterior construction work on the county pavilion. Commissioner Tim Alexander moved the transfer; Commissioner Nicholas Thomas seconded and the motion carried unopposed. The transfer was recorded in a budget amendment the court approved during the meeting.
The court accepted a donation of field dirt from Nick Thomas, Inc., valued at $2,000. Commissioner Tim Alexander moved to accept the donation and Commissioner Dawn Webb seconded; the motion carried with Commissioner Nicholas Thomas recorded as abstaining.
On routine fiscal business, the court approved computer-generated and hand-stamped bills and approved three invoices from Alexander's Grocery and Deli—$170.00 for punch and cake for Andy Holloway's retirement party, $180.00 for a children's gift at the county Christmas party, and $3,678.80 for the County Christmas party meal. Commissioner Dale Schafer moved to approve the three invoices; Commissioner Dawn Webb seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Tim Alexander recorded as abstaining. Separately, Judge Johnson moved and the court approved a budget amendment documenting the $230,000 transfer to Public Facilities Outlay.
Judge Johnson announced that the county audit report will be presented in January 2026 and handed out a roadmap showing proposed roads for sealcoat. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. The court adjourned at 9:21 a.m.
Votes at a glance: approval of Dec. 8 minutes (carried unopposed); 45-day burn ban (carried unopposed); $230,000 reserve transfer for pavilion (carried unopposed); acceptance of $2,000 dirt donation (carried; 1 abstention - Nicholas Thomas); approval of three Alexander's Grocery and Deli invoices (carried; 1 abstention - Tim Alexander); adjournment (carried unopposed).