In the regular monthly meeting of the Dickens County Commissioners on April 14, the court voted unanimously to approve a resolution establishing local option homestead ad valorem tax exemption for owners either 65 of age or above, or disabled.
They also voted unanimously to approve a resolution establishing a localoption general homestead ad valorem tax exemption.
The following Consent Agenda Items were submitted to the court for approval:
• Minutes of the March 10 and March 14, 2025, Commissioners Court meeting were reviewed.
• Sheriff Jay Allen presented the Sheriff’s Department report.
• Stella Carter, J.P. presented the Justice of the Peace report.
• Rhonda Brendle, Tax Assessor Collector presented the Tax Office report.
• Danay Carnes, County and District Clerk, presented the Clerk’s Office report.
• Brandi Abbott, County Treasurer presented the Treasurer’s report.
• Amanda Spiva presented the County Extension report.
• Matt Hindman presented EMC report.
• County Commissioners reported on road conditions in their precincts.
• Approved cost for Pct. 2 Motor grader tires that exceeds the County Spending Policy.
• Approved cost for a tote of Roundup/Glyphosate for Pct.1 &2.
• Approved cost to shampoo carpet in the County Annex.
Commissioner Chris Horn moved to approve the consent agenda items as submitted. Commissioner Dennis Wyatt second the motion, which passed unanimously.
In other court action, Stacy Bruington of TAC (Texas Association of Counties) Health & Employee Benefits Pool presented the county with its 2025 Highest Participation Award.
Commissioners then went into executive session at 10:13 a.m. and resumed the regular meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Austin Storms, Barbara Bogart and Mike Fry with Galaxy Digital discussed the firm’s application regarding a tax abatement for Galaxy Helios I, LLC Data Center Project. No action was taken.
Austin Storms and Mike Fry discussed the Agreed Termination of Tax Abatement Agreement with Galaxy Power, LLC Phase 1A Project. No action was taken.
Commissioners then went into executive session at 12 noon and came out of executive session at 12:30 p.m. and resumed the regular meeting at 12:31 p.m.
The court then discussed the application regarding Tax Abatement for Wolf Springs Solar Project presented by Mike Fry. No action was taken.
Next in the meeting, Commissioner Mike Smith made a motion to approve the cost to repair sidewalk and delete the cost of windows in the white building (on the courthouse square). Dennis Wyatt seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Chris Horn made a motion to approve the purchase of a zero-turn lawn mower for courthouse lawn maintenance, not to exceed $4,500. Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Wyatt made a motion to approve the cost to replace the rooftop air conditioning unit on the Courthouse Annex, which exceeds the County Spending Policy. Horn seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
On a motion made by Smith and second by Wyatt, the court voted unanimously to approve a resolution adopting the Dickens County Investment Policy.
Wyatt made a motion to approve a proposed contract with Horizon Engineering regarding courthouse building stabilization. Horn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Horn made a motion to authorize the county judge to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Spur regarding building demolition and waiver of liability for 507 Burlington Avenue (editors’ note: the former Wyatt Tractor building, adjacent to the new Spur fire station), as drafted by the county attorney. Wyatt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Wyatt and seconded by Smith to approve action on claims incurred against the county since the last commissioners’ court. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion to pay County Historical Commission bills was made by Smith and seconded by Horn. The motion passed unanimously.
Present were County Judge Kevin Brendle; commissioners Dennis Wyatt, Precinct #1; Mike Smith, Precinct #2; Chris Horn, Precinct #3; Danay Carnes, County Clerk; and Brandi Abbott, County Treasurer. Commissioner Greg Arnold, Precinct #4, was absent. Court convened into session initially just after 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
