Parker County Commissioners Court Budget Meeting - August 14, 2025

The Parker County Commissioners Court convened in budget session on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 8:30 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom. The meeting lasted until 12:57 PM, with recesses from 10:19–10:32 AM and 11:53 AM–12:05 PM. The court addressed the FY2025-2026 general fund budget, precinct budgets, and numerous capital and non-capital requests. Presiding was County Judge Pat Deen, with Commissioners Conley, Holt, Walden, and Hale present.

Notification

• U.S. Bank Credit Card Transition: Purchasing Agent Kim Rivas notified the court that U.S. Bank will transition all existing credit cards and travel cards to the new contract (946-M4 Charge Cards) with no service interruption. This item was for notification only.

Discussion Items

• General Fund Budget for FY2025-2026: Brianna Fowler, County Auditor, presented the proposed general fund budget. Additional updates covered capital and non-capital requests, human services requests, and special revenue funds.
• Capital & Non-Capital Budget Requests (Item II.C): The court considered and voted on numerous departmental requests spanning the Sheriff's Office, Patrol, Special Crimes, Criminal Investigations, IT, Emergency Management, Animal Control, Building and Grounds, County Courts, Constables, County Attorney, District Attorney, County Clerk, District Clerk, Courthouse Security, Fugitive Transport, and the Historic Commission. Most requests were approved via individual motions (see Key Outcomes).
• Human Services Budget Requests: Brianna Fowler provided an update, but further discussion was deferred to the next budget meeting. Tax Assessor-Collector Jenny Gentry also presented information on the Child Safety Fund, which supports the CPS Board, CASA, and Children's Advocacy Center.
• TCDRS, Insurance, Longevity, and Salaries: The court discussed the Texas County and District Retirement System, active employee and retiree health insurance rates, longevity pay, and salaries/benefits for elected officials, precincts, PCSO, and non-elected employees. No action was taken on these items.
• Salary COLA Proposal: Judge Deen made a motion to give a 5% COLA to PCSO and non-elected employees, later amending to include precincts. Sheriff Authier stated he preferred a step-and-grade plan over a COLA for his department. Judge Deen subsequently withdrew the motion.
• Special Revenue Funds and Projects: No action taken.
• Precincts Funds 1-4 for FY2025-2026: The court reviewed precinct budgets but took no action.

Key Outcomes

• Approved capital/non-capital requests (all motions carried unless noted):
  • Emergency Management: 2025 Chevrolet F150 (replacing Chevy Tahoe, subject to Tahoe relocation).
  • Special Crimes: Flock Camera System; digital SLR camera ($760); Cellbrite PC ($5,000).
  • Criminal Investigations: Two Chevrolet Half Ton Crew Cab 2WD.
  • Patrol: Thirteen Chevrolet Tahoes at $57,750 each ($500,000 covered by SB22 grant); outfitting thirteen vehicles ($388,000); ten rifle-rated shields ($74,840); forty bullet-resistant vests with carriers and rifle plates ($70,000); twenty gas masks ($8,760) and twenty Kevlar helmets ($17,040); ten shield carry bags ($970); twenty stop sticks ($10,420); night vision goggles for SWAT ($4,800); SWAT entry helmet ($3,600); gas mask for SWAT ($1,920) and target pointer ($1,310); four 40MM launchers ($5,844); twenty Tri-Band Radio Antennae ($4,406.40); eight vehicle lock boxes for SWAT ($16,000); five command boards ($4,040); twenty Airgain antennae ($4,900); seven docking stations ($6,531); removal/reinstallation of LPR system ($2,250); entry vest for SWAT ($5,800); two handheld radars ($4,700).
  • CCL1: Walk-through metal detector.
  • CCL2: AV System firmware/software update from Communication Concepts ($12,000); A/V System additions ($6,000); bulletin board ($730).
  • Fugitive Transport: Three Chevy Tahoes at $57,750 each; outfitting three Tahoes ($25,500); ankle shock restraint ($3,490); handheld docking stations for vehicles ($9,040).
  • IT: EOC Radio Core UPS replacement and small tools ($42,634). (Earlier motion for $3,843,000 radio towers was withdrawn.)
  • Animal Control: Chevrolet ¾-ton 2WD pickup ($55,000); outfitting ($21,500); four dog boxes, traps, leashes, etc. ($29,580).
  • Building and Grounds: Chevrolet Trax ($22,780); small tools and grounds equipment; HVAC replacement units ($100,000); improvements/maintenance ($152,000); combined JP3 remodel and Sheriff's Office covered porch ($87,000 – after initial motion was withdrawn).
  • County Attorney: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado ($45,055); vehicle outfitting ($2,000).
  • Constable #1: Four Axon annual lease for body cameras ($7,706.38) and tasers ($4,809.60); five Motorola APX8500 in-car radios ($41,789.55).
  • Constable #2: Ballistic shield ($2,000); three bulletproof vest replacements ($5,250).
  • Sheriff's Department: Five chairs ($1,000) and 20 computer keyboards ($1,400) for Dispatch.
  • Parker County Sheriff's Office: Uniforms for new employees ($5,250).
  • Investigations: CSE ladder, hand cart, six office chairs, DNA swab ($2,410); move handheld docking stations ($1,600).
  • Courthouse Security: Five chairs ($1,000); two handheld metal detectors ($220 from Fund 73).
  • County Clerk: Two high-back office chairs for Civil, two for Criminal ($1,200).
  • District Clerk: Chair or desk ($500).
  • District Attorney: Hand cart and two office chairs ($575).
  • South Convenience Center: Grabber piece ($5,000).
  • Auditor authorized to override budget for County Attorney's office partitions/scanners using FY25 funds if received by Sept. 30, 2025.
• No action taken on: General fund budget approval, general budget updates, human services requests, TCDRS, insurance rates, longevity pay, salaries/benefits for elected officials/precincts/PCSO/non-elected employees, additional salary requests/new positions, special revenue funds, precinct funds 1-4 budgets, and the 5% COLA proposal (motion withdrawn).
• Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Conley, seconded by Commissioner Hale, carried at 12:57 PM.