The Smith County Commissioners Court reviewed key updates, approved board appointments and discussed ongoing projects during their January 14 meeting. (Contributed Photo)

Smith County Commissioner approved a capital improvement project to plan for the future, facility improvements, and personal matters at the meeting Dec. 31.

Despite some pushback from incoming Precinct 1 Commissioner Christina Drewry, the commissioners ultimately approved the Smith County Capital Improvement Plan for 2025 through 2029.

“This is the last official Commissioners Court meeting for the two outgoing commissioners,” Drewry said. “It seems that this court is committing the new court members to a capital improvement plan that runs concurrent with our terms without giving us an opportunity to evaluate and discuss the plan that we will be responsible for implementing.”

The plan serves as a living document outlining the county’s current and future capital needs.

Drewry said she is aware of some of the needs but was not briefed on the intricacies of the plan. She asked the court to table the agenda item and suggested holding a public workshop for community input and discussion on these expensive needs.

Franklin stressed the document is subject to change, and everything that’s not yet been funded by the court, will be under the commissioners court authority to approve.

“I’m fine if you want to push this off till the new commissioners get here,” said Terry Phillips outgoing Precinct 3 Commissioner. “This is just a plan, no monies will be spent until it’s approved by them.”

The rest of the commissioners, outgoing Precinct 1 commissioner Pam Frederick, and Precinct 2 John Moore and Precinct 4 Ralph Caraway Sr. agreed there was no reason to postpone approving the plan.

“I can reassure the oncoming commissioners that you’ll have all the say so in the world, as we move forward,” Franklin said.

From 2020 to 2029, the majority of capital projects (87%) focus on facility improvements, while property acquisition and technology each account for 5% and equipment makes up 3%.

In 2025, Smith County plans to invest over $9 million in capital improvement projects, with expenditures projected to range between $3 million and just over $7 million annually over the following four years.

The commissioners awarded the contract for Facility Service Center Improvements, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to Watson Commercial Construction, Ltd. with a total bid of $2,689,900. Watson Commercial Construction was the lowest responsible bidder.

The commissioners approved the Smith County Intra-Agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Smith County IT Data Center Improvements.

This MOU allows the county to use ARPA funds for qualifying projects, in line with Federal Treasury ARPA guidelines. It will also obligate any un-obligated or de-obligated funds that may become available after the December obligation deadline.

The MOU ensures that the county can use these funds for qualifying projects, following the rules set by the federal government. It also accounts for any unused funds that may become available after the deadline to spend ARPA money in 2024.

The MOU will cover $401,030.14 of the IT Data Center Improvements costs.

The court appointed Shawn Scott to serve as a reserve deputy for the Smith County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office. Scott, a certified peace officer with more than 20 years of experience, was appointed to this unpaid position.

The commissioners approved the request to hire and pay a detention officer for the training department based on their level of experience. The request includes an increase in pay for an officer with over 30 years of educational experience.

The officer will assist Lt. Aimee Crockett with training in the detention training division, which includes the Jail Training Officer Program, new officer orientation and all TCOLE-mandated training. There is no budgetary impact.

The commissioners approved the Final Plat for the Muniz Addition in Precinct 2. The following pipe and/or utility line installation requests were received:

• County Road 1113, Pine Cove, road bore, Precinct 1.

• County Roads 376, 381, 3150, 3151, 3152, 3123, Vexus Fiber LLC to install aerial and underground fiber optic cable, vaults and pedestals, Precinct 3.

• County Roads 378, 3135, 3144, 3148, 3149, 3175, 380, 384, Vexus Fiber LLC to install aerial and underground fiber optic cable, vaults and pedestals, Precinct 3.

In other business;

• The following employees were recognized for their service: Virgil Wilson (Road and Bridge Department) for 25 years, Michael Willard (Sheriff’s Office) for 15 years, Alma Delgado (Collections) for 10 years, Gabriella Creel (IT Dept) for five years, Amber Greene (Animal Control) for five years, Kristina Wintters (Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3) for five years and James Barnett (Sheriff’s Office) for five years.

• Commissioners’ recognized Commissioner Terry Phillips (Precinct 1) for service from January 2009 to December 2024 and Commissioner Pam Frederick (Precinct 3) for service from November 2022 to December 2024.

• The commissioners approved a bond for Wayne Allen, the Constable for Smith County Precinct 2. This bond acts as a type of insurance, making sure that Allen will carry out his duties properly.