In this catchup coverage of the Kent County commissioners court’s proceedings, we have several sessions of the court to report due to The Texas Spur’s end-of-year hiatus. Some reports have necessarily had to rely on approved or unofficial minutes, as the court’s regular sessions generally fall on Mondays for half a day, twice monthly—the same day that the newspaper must be prepared for layout.
At the beginning of a new term, a bit about public meetings. Note that deliberations of the court (as with most government meetings) are often much more in-depth than indicated in minutes and are also based upon the text of reports not distributed to the audience. Members of the public who are interested in any county business are encouraged to review the agenda posted beside the front courthouse door 72 hours before each meeting; upcoming meeting dates appear on page 2 of The Texas Spur weekly.
Meetings of the court are conducted, in accordance with state law, in open session, during which the court may convene into executive (closed) session after stating which of 20 specific preovisions applies to the closed session, then in due time will reconvene into open session and taking action (or no action) as relevant. The Texas Open Meetings Handbook is available to all, online.
If you wish to speak on any agenda item or matter of interest, there’s a (limited) period for public comment; if you wish to request an item be added to the agenda, contact the county judge’s office before the 72-hour advance notice period.
The county’s business is conducted, and operations overseen, by a board of four elected commissioners (one per precinct) and the county judge, also elected. Other elected officials and unelected staff also regularly provide reports, and their information and proposals are voted on we follow the styling commissioners court (plural, no possessive) as is used in the publications of the Texas Association of Counties (county.org).
MONDAY, DEC. 9, 2024: Compiled from minutes.
In the regular monthly meeting of the Kent County Commissioners Court on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
The court convened at 9:00 a.m., went into executive session at 9:05 a.m. and returned to open session at 9:10 a.m. No reason for the executive session was recorded in the minutes.
The court then approved minutes of the previous court session and approved claims presented to the court.
Judge Layne Coulter announced to the court a review of the insurance claims from the Texas Association of Counties with damage to the courthouse windows and airport hangar caused by the storm of June 23, 2024. No immediate action was taken.
A motion was made by Ray Hall and seconded by Roy Chisum to approve to extend the restricted burn ban for 90 days including all of Kent County. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Daryl Ham and seconded by Robert Graham to employ McKayla Coplen as secretary for the Kent County extension office. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Robert Graham and seconded by Daryl Ham to approve the surety bonds for Turney Coulter for the position of commissioner for Precinct 101, and Debbie Myers for the position of commissioner for Precinct 301 and 302. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Daryl Ham and seconded by Ray Hall to approve a 3% cost of living adjustment increase for Kent County employees. The motion carried.
Nathan Smith, nursing home administrator, and Steve King, consultant, met with the Court to report on operations of the Kent County Nursing Home.
A motion was made by Judge Coulter and seconded by Robert Graham to approve the court convening into executive session at 11:15 a.m. No reason for the executive session was noted in the minutes. The motion carried.
A motion was made at 12:15 p.m. by Judge Coulter and seconded by Daryl Ham to reconvene back into the regular meeting. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Daryl Ham and seconded by Roy Chisum to adjourn the regular court meeting. The motion carried.
Present were Layne Coulter, County Judge;commissioners Roy W. Chisum, Precinct No. 1; Ray Hall, Precinct No. 2; Daryl Ham, Precinct No. 3; and Robert Graham, Precinct No. 4, along with commissionerselect Turney Coulter and Debbie Myers.
Craig Harrison, clerk, commissioners court, was absent.
MONDAY, DEC. 23, 2024: Actions reported from approved minutes.
The court approved bonds for Sheriff William Scogin and the deputy sheriff, and approved employment of Valerie Jones as secretary to county judge.
Count Judge Layne Coulter updated the court on the TAC insurance claims regarding repairs needed to the county airport hangar; no action was taken.
Sheriff Scogin met with the court to discuss a possible purchase of tasers via SB22 funds; no action was taken.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, Steve King reported on operations, including a census of 43 residents. They also discussed employee handbook, along with penalties from HHSC andCMS,anddiscussedthe option of installing security cameras.
The court convened into executive session at 11:05 a.m. to discuss investment matters. Upon reconvening of the court into open session Commissioner Roy Chisum made a motion, with a second by Commissioner Robert Graham to consider approving a reimbursement to Jayton-Girard ISD from the Permanent School Funds for a capital outlay in the amount of $280,917.74. The motion carried 3-2, with commissioners Ray Hall and Daryl Ham voting against and Judge Coulter breaking the tie.
The court then approved the list of county employee holidays for 2025.
Newly elected officials were sworn in: Precinct 1 Commissioner Turney Coulter, Precinct 3 Commissioner Debbie Myers. Sheriff William Scogin was separately sworn.
MONDAY, JAN. 9, 2025.
The court considered its first full agenda of the new calendar year, with newly elected commissioners Turney Coulter and Debbie Myers taking their places out on the court. There was informal mention that many in Kent County had received a letter from landowner Paul Scioli regarding solar farms in the county.
Following reading of December 23 minutes and approval of county bills to be paid.
County Judge Layne Coulter provided an update on TAC insurance claims resulting from the June 2023 storm. Electrical work at the airport hangar should be completed this week, he said; electrical power has been supplied to hangar doors. The county is “probably looking at completion of work by spring break,” Coulter said.
Sheriff William Scogin reported one detainee being held in county jail. A third pickup truck is still on order. One employee is still undergoing physical therapy for an injury sustained while on duty. The sheriff also noted a price quotation on four tasers plus training, on a five-yr payout, of $17,430. No action was taken.
For the Kent County Nursing Home, Steve King provided a census of 45.
Regarding the uncertain status of a recent complaint, King recited the timeline: the facility began an internal investigation on a Friday in November; nothing was found but the facility was issued two IJ’s; then a new IJ for abuse, “a bigger issue” that would involve a $240,000 fine; the facility conducted interviews with residents but could confirm nothing other hearsay, with no corroboration of one person’s complaint. Some irregularities were discovered in the ID number of a fine, and the facility quickly turned around a plan of correction. King cited frustration in pointed terms with a process that was unclear but that had involved some 65-70 hours of staff work to date “over an allegation that was gossip to begin with.” He plans to resubmit notarized statements this week.
No changes in nursing home staffing changes were reported; there is one job vacancy, for a new LVN position. King mentioned another new position under discussion, which the facility hopes to fill by February.
Commissioner Robert Graham noted the lack of outdoor lighting at night at the nursing home and was curious to know if there was any malfunction.
A talent show is in the works, administrators noted; they will delay on setting a date until the school’s spring schedule is more certain, in late March or early April. The facility plans to seek sponsors and silent auction donations.
Staff are currently comparing costs and benefits of current Telehealth and QIPP (quality improvement) programs.
County staff noted the “Nathan and Michael and Wendy [KCNC staffers] really hustle” to sign up residents after initial inquiries. Administrator Nathan Smith responded, modestly, that “Outside of the number, you want to make sure that everyone that’s in there is satisfied, and taken care of. We’re starting to do that more and more.”
Last, a generous donation of $20,000 from a family member was noted, with
thanks.
Under maintenance of county services, no new requests were presented. Nathan Brooks mentioned that the County Livestock Show went well the previous weekend, after an electrical meter link broke down on Thursday and the meter subsequently burned up. A need to work with South Plains Electric Cooperative, to properly hook up the new meter, was noted.
Applications for use of road machinery were approved unanimously as presented.
An updated roster of Kent County Historical Commission members was presented, with the readdition of Mickey Alexander and Dana Brinkman The full list was approved unanimously as presented.
As its final matter of business, the court considered county/school investments The court approved Permanent School Fund reinvestments at the First National Bank of Aspermont as follows: CD #2818, $1,000,000, at 4% for 1 year, to mature 1/11/2025; CD #2819, $1,000,000, at 4% for 1 year, to mature 1/11/2025. The motion carried unanimously.
The court approved a Permanent School Fund new investment of $1,000,000. Judge Coulter, who had checked on rates for new investments, moved to invest the sum at Spur Security Bank, at 3.75% for 1 year. The motion carried unanimously.
It was noted that the assistant county attorney had been appointed to serve as county attorney, as in the absence of an elected attorney, the appointment falls under the jurisdiction of the commissioners court.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m.
