Houston County Commissioners authorize emergency jail equipment purchases, seek pause on data‑center projects
May 26, 2026 | Houston County, Texas
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The Houston County Commissioners Court met May 26, 2026, in person and via Zoom and approved a series of administrative and emergency actions, including authorization to replace failing jail kitchen equipment and a formal request that state officials pause pending data‑center projects while adopting uniform standards.
Sheriff Zak Benge told the Court that jail kitchen appliances "have become faulty and are dangerous" and must meet statutory requirements, prompting commissioners to authorize an exemption to competitive bidding under Local Government Code 271.056(3) so equipment needs could be addressed promptly. The Court recorded a unanimous roll call on the exemption. The commissioners also approved related budget amendments to fund the replacements from the Construction Fund under Tax Note 2025.
The Court used consent and individual motions to clear routine business: approving the May 12 minutes, accepting budget amendments, authorizing payment of bills and fund transfers, receiving the county treasurer’s report, and accepting corrected estimated values from the Houston County Appraisal District for Tax Year 2026 (Budget Year 2027). County Auditor Melissa Jeter said the county received about $25,000 in 2025 Timber Funds that can be used for law enforcement.
Personnel and equipment decisions included approval of a part‑time Precinct 1 Heavy Equipment Operator/CDL Driver at $18.80 per hour (Pay Grade 17), with Commissioner Jimmy Henderson recorded as abstaining on that hire; and purchase of gym equipment for the Crockett DPS Office for $847.19. Commissioners set county‑wide trash cleanup dates for July 11 (Precincts 1 & 2), July 18 (Precinct 3) and July 25 (Precinct 4), and voted to remove most reserved parking around the courthouse while retaining handicap, maintenance and inmate loading/unloading spaces.
On infrastructure policy, Commissioner Jimmy Henderson moved and Commissioner Gene Stokes seconded a Resolution requesting that state officials pause any pending data‑center projects and adopt comprehensive, uniform state standards so county water supplies, power grids, roads and drainage systems can be reviewed and protected; the motion passed unanimously after discussion about potential negative impacts to the county. The Court also voted to sign a petition asking the governor and appropriate state departments to consider fire‑department equipment needs, environmental mitigations, permitting in unincorporated areas, road planning and costs, and drainage engineering for non‑subdivision/unplatted developments related to data centers.
The meeting concluded at about 10:13 a.m. with routine adjournment. Several items required no action at this meeting, including an elder‑abuse proclamation that needs updating.
Sheriff Zak Benge told the Court that jail kitchen appliances "have become faulty and are dangerous" and must meet statutory requirements, prompting commissioners to authorize an exemption to competitive bidding under Local Government Code 271.056(3) so equipment needs could be addressed promptly. The Court recorded a unanimous roll call on the exemption. The commissioners also approved related budget amendments to fund the replacements from the Construction Fund under Tax Note 2025.
The Court used consent and individual motions to clear routine business: approving the May 12 minutes, accepting budget amendments, authorizing payment of bills and fund transfers, receiving the county treasurer’s report, and accepting corrected estimated values from the Houston County Appraisal District for Tax Year 2026 (Budget Year 2027). County Auditor Melissa Jeter said the county received about $25,000 in 2025 Timber Funds that can be used for law enforcement.
Personnel and equipment decisions included approval of a part‑time Precinct 1 Heavy Equipment Operator/CDL Driver at $18.80 per hour (Pay Grade 17), with Commissioner Jimmy Henderson recorded as abstaining on that hire; and purchase of gym equipment for the Crockett DPS Office for $847.19. Commissioners set county‑wide trash cleanup dates for July 11 (Precincts 1 & 2), July 18 (Precinct 3) and July 25 (Precinct 4), and voted to remove most reserved parking around the courthouse while retaining handicap, maintenance and inmate loading/unloading spaces.
On infrastructure policy, Commissioner Jimmy Henderson moved and Commissioner Gene Stokes seconded a Resolution requesting that state officials pause any pending data‑center projects and adopt comprehensive, uniform state standards so county water supplies, power grids, roads and drainage systems can be reviewed and protected; the motion passed unanimously after discussion about potential negative impacts to the county. The Court also voted to sign a petition asking the governor and appropriate state departments to consider fire‑department equipment needs, environmental mitigations, permitting in unincorporated areas, road planning and costs, and drainage engineering for non‑subdivision/unplatted developments related to data centers.
The meeting concluded at about 10:13 a.m. with routine adjournment. Several items required no action at this meeting, including an elder‑abuse proclamation that needs updating.
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