Smith County officials accept a donation of nine LIFEPAK CR2 AEDs from UT Health East Texas EMS to be placed in county buildings, enhancing safety and emergency response. (Contributed Photo)

The Smith County Commissioners Court recognized employees for their service, accepted donations and approved various appointments and agreements during its Jan. 28 meeting.

More than a dozen county employees were honored for their years of service, including Virgil Wilson and Paula Davis, who each marked 25 years. Wilson serves as road superintendent in the Road and Bridge Department, while Davis oversees programs in Juvenile Services.

Chet Thomas (20 years, Juvenile Services) and Karen Nelson (20 years, Road and Bridge) were also recognized. Gary Barber (Tax Assessor-Collector) and Tina Glover Smith (Sheriff’s Office) with 20 years, Rudolph Poe (Sheriff’s Office) with 15 and several others reaching 10 and five years.

The court also proclaimed Jan. 24, as “Coach C.L. Nix Hall of Fame Day,” recognizing the late C.L. Nix’s induction into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. His son, retired Commissioner Cary Nix, requested the resolution.

In public safety efforts, UT Health East Texas EMS donated nine LIFEPAK CR2 defibrillators valued at $21,000 to be placed in county buildings.

“They are truly a lifesaver,” Judge Neal Franklin said. “They are easy to use, with clear instructions … We are very thankful.”

Franklin said the goal is to place an AED in each of the county’s 29 buildings. UT Health EMS donated six AEDs to Smith County last year and continues to support the county’s efforts.

Additionally, Prosperity Bank donated $500 to help the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office purchase a Firepup fire safety costume, used for educating children about fire prevention. Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said the costume costs $3,395, and fundraising efforts continue.

The court approved a shared agency agreement with Smith County Emergency Services District #2, allowing ESD #2 to access the county’s Motorola Solutions dispatch system at no cost to the county.

Other approvals included:

• Appointing a Commissioners Court representative to the Smith County Bail Bond Board

• Naming Smith County Commissioner Precinct 1 Christina Drewry to the East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors

• Selecting Conor Herterich, Preservation Texas’s Northeast Texas Program Officer and Endangered Properties Manager as chairperson for the Smith County Historical Commission

• Approving a contract with Carey Christie for indigent defense services in the 321st District Court

Smith County Constable Precinct 2 and the Fire Marshal’s Office received an exemption from the 2024 Racial Profiling Report, as they do not conduct regular traffic stops.

The court also accepted Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber’s annual continuing education certification and approved final plats for Garden Valley Meadows in Precinct 3 and Cedar Vista Addition, Unit 2, in Precinct 4.