On the agenda: Hamilton August 11 2026 Regular Session minutes — data center (Aug 11)

Hamilton County Commissioner's Court
Regular Session
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
9:00 a.m.

Hamilton County Commissioner’s Court met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
with the following members present: County Judge James Yates, Commissioners Johnny
Wagner, Keith Curry, David Ogle and Dicky Clary. Judge Yates called the meeting to order
and a quorum was established. Judge Yates led the invocation and all followed with the
pledges.

Public Comments

During open comments, Keile Odom representing Grant Works, Inc. presented information
regarding available infrastructure, water and sewage grants that the county may qualify for.
The grants require a 2% local match and provide up to $7,500.

General Election Order

The order calling for the General Election on November 3, 2026, was officially announced. This
item will be placed on the upcoming meeting agenda to ratify the required signatures.

Budget Adjustment (L.1.T.) to consider:

© $300.00 from 010-499-1030, Personnel Salaries to 010-499-4250, Tax Assessor for
school and conference.

$600.00 from 010-497-4250, Treasurer Schools & conference to 010-497-4510,
Treasurer Rental Equipment.

Commissioner Clary made a motion to approve the Budget Adjustments (L.I.T.) as
presented and Commissioner Ogle seconded the motion. The Court approved the Budget
Adjustments (L.I.T.) with a 4-0 vote, Judge Yates abstained.

The Court considered the following Consent Agenda:

a. Approve the Minutes from June 28, 2026 and July 31, 2026
b. Approve Departmental Reports

c. Payroll in the amount of $89,717.48

d. Expenses in the amount of $90,586.85

e. In-Between Bills in the amount of $19,000.00 for PCT 2

f. No Culvert Applications to consider

g. Building and Use Requests to consider the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce for the
Dove Festival to used the Portico, Lawn and Parking lot September 4-6, 2026.

h. No Bonds

Commissioner Wagner made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and
Commissioner Curry seconded the motion. The Court approved the Consent Agenda with a 4-0
vote, Judge Yates abstained.

Hamilton County Personnel Update:

New Hire —
Evans Guthrie - PCT 2- Road Hand
Irene Zingaro — AG Extension
Andy Needham — PCT 3 Road Hand

Resignations/ Terminations —
Randall Whiddon - Communications
Robert Nunley, PCT3 Road Hand

There was no County Treasurer’s Report Update provided today.
There was no County Investment Report Update provided today.
There was no County Infrastructure Update provided today.

Communication Update:
Lacy Alexander was out-so Holly Provided the report. The department received 1798 calls.
From the Motorola Solutions call Report

e 381 Emergency
¢ 2781 non-emergency
© 1textto 911

Every Friday at noon there will be a tornado siren and fire testing.

Law Enforcement Update:
Reports — 69 written in July

Arrests - 10 (7 males & 3 females) - 5 Felony charges and 11 Misdemeanor charges

Traffic Stops — 286 stops resulting in 156 violations being cited for fines and 220 violations
resulting in warnings

2 CMVE stops which resulted in 1 citation for fines and two warnings.

Bailiff - 7 days totaling 16 hours

Civil Process — Served 37 Civil Citations which took 65 attempts

Total Calls for Service Answered — 1148

Drug Seizure - seized under 1 gram of methamphetamine an under 1 gram of THC

Inmate Transport — Completed 16 inmate transports

Open Records Request — handled 25 records requests resulting in $0.00 in revenue

Financial Report

e There are 40 checks that more than 90 days old and 98 old invoices that are more than
30 days. There is nothing to worry.

e Mr. Jones suggested that for future hiring to get training in Tyler so they can keep old
the old checks and invoices out of the system.

© Bank accounts not reconciled in 30 days only shows the treasure’s pool cash from 71 to
730. There are 12 POs that have been open for over 100 days.

© Monthly expenses, last year in August, the county spent $479,996.93. At this time in
August, only spent $285,186.56.

© The total available budget for the county right now as of today is $1,366,875.0.3

Burn Ban:
A 90-day burn ban was approved due to dry conditions over the last few weeks and concerns
raised by the Shive Fire Department.

Commissioner Wagner made the motion to accept the burn ban. Commissioner Curry
seconded the motion. The Court approved the burn ban with a 4-0 vote; Judge Yates
abstained.

Revise the Hamilton County Tax Abatement Policy:

Commissioner clary suggested adding more precise language to the policy stating The
Hamilton County will not be considered or approve any Tax Abatement for any energy facility,
solar energy, energy storage facility, or data center development. There will be more
discussing on this topic one the next agenda.

County Judge Yates made the motion to revise the Hamilton County Tax Abatement
Policy in the next commissioner meeting. Commissioner Clary seconded the motion. The Court

approved to add with a 4-0 vote; to revise the Hamilton County Tax Abatement Policy in the
next commissioner meeting.

Discussion for approval of purchase for the Sherrif Department:

The Chief Deputy requested approval for the following purchases:
© 9 Patrol Vehicle Repairs: $7,422.80
e New Patrol Car Storage Box: $10,709.94
¢ Non-Lethal Weapons $13,768.61 out of 287(g)
e Jail ice Machine: (Amount unstated)

Judge Yates stated that if funds are available within the budget, purchases should not require
approval unless they involve major expenses, such as a vehicle. No action was taken on this
matter. However, Commissioner Clary and the Treasurer noted that the use of ICE Fund 287
requires a strict paper trail.

Armstrong, Vaughan & associates, P.C. Engagement Letter:

Armstrong, Vaughan & associates, P.C. engagement letter was approved so that the firm will
be the one to do the audit for Hamilton County. Commissioner Wagner stated that the fees
are $37,000.00 and if a federal or state audit is required there will be an additional $5,000.00
for the first major program and additional $1500.00 for each additional major program
required will be charged

Commissioner Clary made the motion to approved Armstrong, Vaughan & associates,
P.C. to do the next audit. Commissioner Wagner seconded the motion. The Court approved
the burn ban with a 4-0 vote; Judge Yates abstained.

There was no discussion or action taken today on the SB3 Outdoor Warning Sirens Alert
Grant.

There was no discussion on Phase Il Communication Tower.

FEMA:
Commissioners requested a meeting with (TDEM) to discuss concerns regarding delayed
funding for projects DR-4781 and DR-4879.

Ended at 9:35 am and recess until 9:45 am.

Budget Workshop:

e The Court discussed and reviewed each Commissioners proposed 2026-2027 budget

e One correction was made in the sheriff’s department for the admin assistance line she
has been getting paid the correct amount however it did not reflect on the excel.

e The commissioners review the PCT 1, PCT 2, PCT 3, and PCT.

e Ended at 11:52 am and recess and will meet again in August 12, 2026 at 9:00 am.

e On August 12, 2026 the commissioners reconvened again and they went over the
budget for PCT 1, PCT 2, PCT 3, and PCT 4. There was also a discussing about the
Sherrif’s department wanting to used $25,000.00 from the ICE grant for overtime and
two stipends for the jailer and the administration assistance. The discussion for this
matter will continue on August 14, 2026.

e There was a brief discussion about the property the county wants to purchase on ways
to approach the seller and offers they can present.

Ended at 10:22 am and recess until August 14, 2026 at 9:00 am.

e August 14, 2026: The commissioners reconvened but did not agree to the ICE grant,
which would have funded overtime and two separate stipends for the jailer and the
administrative assistant

° 0.4251 Ad Volerem Rate

e No new revenue rate: .37322590

e Voter Approval Rate :4084708

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Adjourned at 9:13 am

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