Parker County Commissioners Court Regular Meeting – January 13, 2025

The Parker County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 8:30 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom. All members were present: County Judge Pat Deen, Commissioners George Conley (Precinct 1), Tom Holt (Precinct 2), Craig Walden (Precinct 3), and Steve Hale (Precinct 4). County Attorney John Forrest and Deputy County Clerk Jane Wilsky were also present. County Clerk Lila Deakle was absent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Auditor, Treasurer, and County Judge consent items (certification of revenues, budget adjustments, payroll, minutes, personnel changes, etc.) on a single motion by Commissioner Walden, seconded by Commissioner Holt. Motion carried.
• Purchasing items 2 through 13 were each voted on individually. All passed unanimously (5 ayes, 0 noes). Items included: Gun Safe for Surplus Auctions; Elections Building Renovation Change Order #1; renewal of contracts for Hauling of Hot Mix, Auto Supplies, Specialized Asphalt Products, Waste Roll-off Containers, and Hauling Services; purchase of two Mack Dump Trucks for Precinct 1; authorization to salvage/destroy a fuel pump; declaring a wooden shed surplus at the Sheriff's Office; and repair proposals for the Sheriff's Office Building (OMNIA PC25-09) and Santa Fe Annex (OMNIA PC25-10).

Public Comments & Testimony

• None recorded.

Discussion Items

7A. Water Availability Requirements Amendment – Discussed but no motion was recorded in the minutes, indicating no formal action was taken. The agenda listed this item for discussion and possible action.

7B. Emergency Management Grant Application (Texas General Land Office) – Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Conley, second by Commissioner Hale).

7C. Area Agency on Aging Nominees – Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Hale, second by Commissioner Conley). Nominees: Kirsti Smith (Executive Director, Parker County Committee on Aging) and Linda Authier (Board Member VP, same committee).

7D. TxDOT Local Government Assistance Program Request ($42,897) – Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Holt, second by Commissioner Walden). The request allocates surplus materials for county road repair and maintenance.

7E. Subdivision Rules – Driveway Distance Language – Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Holt, second by Commissioner Walden). Amended Section 3.04.ff to state “the distance between driveways (or between driveways and the intersection of two roads) shall be…”

7F-H. ESD #3 Commissioner Reappointments – Betty Reinert (7F) was reappointed unanimously (two separate motions recorded, both passing). Bret Privitt (7H) was reappointed unanimously (motion by Commissioner Hale, second by Commissioner Conley). Note: No motion was recorded in the minutes for the reappointment of Ed Huddleston (7G), though the item was on the agenda. The court’s action on this item is ambiguous.

7I. Traffic Video Agreement with TxDOT – Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Holt, second by Commissioner Conley).

5A. Update on Transportation Bond Projects – Freese & Nichols presented an update on ongoing bond projects; no action taken.

6A. Notification of 2025 Stop Loss Vendor – County provided information on vendor, deductible, and premium; no action required.

8A-J. Acceptance into the Minutes – Various reports and executed agreements were accepted, including: IT Department Quarterly Report, automatic bank draft authorizations for auto registration (Schrick Trailer Sales, Pee Wee Cray, Circle Kars and Truck Sales), Wright Group Professional Services Agreement for Auto Registration Expansion, HGAC Dispatch Expansion Furniture agreement, executed addendum for Town of Annetta North road repairs, Department of Treasury Reports, Asset Forfeiture Local Agreement, and Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force agreement.

10. Plats – Multiple subdivision plats, waivers, and preliminary/final approvals were considered by precinct. All motions carried unanimously unless noted.

• Precinct 1: Approved groundwater study waivers for Live Oak Hills and Upper Denton RV Resort; began revision for Live Oak Hills (9.354 acres); approved final plat for Earp Road Estates Phase 2 (45.682 acres); began preliminary process for Upper Denton RV Resort (21.263 acres); accepted performance bond for Earp Road Estates.
• Precinct 2: Noted releases from Weatherford ETJ (7.665 and 15.94 acres); approved cancellation of Joe Janeiro subdivision (3.006 acres); held public hearing and approved improvement of roads in Oak Tree Ranch Estates (Oak Tree Drive and Oak Tree Court) with assessment of costs; began preliminary process for Crestview Estates Phase 1 (77.448 acres); began revision for Carlton Acres (10.001 acres); approved groundwater study waiver for B.A. Neal Addition; began preliminary process for B.A. Neal Addition (2.945 acres).
• Precinct 3: Noted release of 121.12 acres from Weatherford ETJ; approved groundwater study waiver for Gremminger Ranch at Southridge; began revision for same (10.009 acres); held public hearing and approved final revision for Canyon West Phase Two (2.22 acres); began preliminary process for Day Dream Acres (7.975 acres).
• Precinct 4: Held public hearing and approved posting of a school zone sign at Trinity Christian School; motion by Commissioner Hale, second by Commissioner Conley, passed unanimously.

9. Executive Session – The court met in closed session under Texas Government Code §§ 551.071 and 551.072 to discuss pending litigation (Silver Spurs Ranch), Parker County Justice Center real estate, an offer for property at 705 Johnson Street, Weatherford, and property at 111 Green Acres Rd., Weatherford. Upon reconvening in open session, the court took the following actions:

• Silver Spurs Ranch litigation: Motion by Commissioner Walden, second by Judge Deen. Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Holt opposed).
• 705 Johnson Street offer: Motion by Commissioner Walden, second by Commissioner Hale. Approved unanimously.
• 111 Green Acres Rd.: Motion by Judge Deen, second by Commissioner Holt. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and approval items passed with near-unanimous support; the only contested vote was on the Silver Spurs Ranch litigation (4-1).
• No public comments were recorded.
• Item 7A (water availability rules) was discussed but no formal action was taken (no motion).
• The reappointment of ESD #3 Commissioner Ed Huddleston (7G) lacks a recorded vote in the minutes, creating an ambiguity as to whether it was approved.
• Multiple subdivision plats and road improvements were approved, including a public hearing for Oak Tree Ranch Estates road assessments and a school zone sign for Trinity Christian School.
• The court authorized applications for two state grants (GLO and TxDOT) and entered into a traffic video agreement with TxDOT.
• Executive session resulted in actions on litigation, real estate offers, and property decisions.