2026-01-06 Denton County Commissioners Court

EADS

Happy New Year. I'd like to welcome everybody to the Tuesday, January the 6th, 2026 meeting of the Denton County Commissioner's Court. We're so glad to have you all in attendance today, Personally, and those of you all who are watching online, welcome. We're glad to have you. Thank you for tuning in.

At this time, I'd like to have everyone please stand as Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell is going to lead us in our invocations and our pledges be led by our very own Denton County Fire Marshal Brad Sebastian. If you'll please stand. We're reminded right to please turn off your cell phones.

MITCHELL

Good morning. As our word teaches in First Timothy 2, 1 and 2, we pray for all those in authority that they may govern with wisdom and integrity so that we may live a peaceful and godly life. And people in the here today, it does not just mean the people that are up here.

It means every one of you because every one of you are leaders and in authority of something. So let us pray. Gracious Father, Lord, we come to you today with hearts full of gratitude for the gift of freedom, the strength of our convictions and the promise of this great nation.

Lord, thank you for the United States of America. Thank you for Denton County, Lord. Lord, we give you all the glory and all the honor and praises because you are worthy to be praised.

Lord, we lift you up and magnify your name because there's none like you. Thank you for being a good, kind, loving God. Lord, we thank you for looking beyond all of our faults and seeing our needs, Lord.

We thank you for being a promise keeper, Lord. Thank you for being a way maker, Lord. Thank you for being the lily of the valley and the bright and morning star, Lord.

Thank you for being our savior, Lord. Thank you for waking up us this morning, Lord. Clothing our right mind, Lord.

With a reasonable portion of our health and our strength, Lord. We give you all the glory, Lord, and all the honor and praises, Lord. Thank you for all that you do, Lord.

You're so good and so kind and so merciful, Lord. And as we go into this new year, Lord, don't let us go in like we were last year, Lord. Make us better, Lord Jesus.

Build us up where we're torn down, Lord. Strengthen us where we're weak, Lord. Lord, if there ever was a time in this world that we need you, Lord, perilous times ahead, Lord.

We thank you, Lord, for being good, kind, and merciful, Lord. Thank you for that we are people of hope, Lord. We don't have to lean and depend on man, Lord, but we can lean and depend on you, Lord.

We thank you because you're so good and so kind and so merciful, Lord. Thank you for all that you do, Lord. Thank you for being water when we need water, Lord.

Somebody in the audience may need some help, Lord Jesus. Somebody may be sick in their body, Lord. Somebody may be sick in their mind, Lord.

We ask for your help, Lord. We ask if you heal all over this nation, Lord. Save all over the nation, Lord.

Go in the convalescent room, Lord. Sick rooms, Lord. Everywhere, Lord.

Save, heal, and deliver, Lord. In the name of Jesus, Lord. Touch those parents, Lord Jesus, that has that wayward child, Lord.

You know what they need and how they need it, Lord. Have mercy on us today, Lord Jesus. Lord, let us be better than we were last year, Lord.

In the name of Jesus, let us realize, Lord, we can do nothing without you because you are all in all, Lord. You're the king of kings. You're the Lord of Lord.

You're the river of life, Lord Jesus. You're peace when we need peace, Lord. You're help when we need help, Lord.

You are financial advisor, Lord. You are doctor, Lord. You are pastor, Lord.

You are everything that we need, Lord Jesus. You're a lawyer in the courtroom, Lord. Lord, thank you for being a good, kind, loving God.

Thank you for loving us, Lord Jesus. I pray for each and every person that's here right now, Lord. Pray for their family, Lord Jesus.

You know what they need and how they need it, Lord. Enlarge our resources, Lord. Not just monetarily, Lord, but enlarge the resources, Lord.

Our health, Lord, and strength, Lord Jesus. Give us strength, Lord, to go and do the things that we need to do, Lord, according to your will, Lord. Not our will, but let your will be done, Lord.

Have mercy on this nation, Lord Jesus. Go up there in Washington, Lord Jesus. You know what's going on all over the world, Lord Jesus.

All in these eastern countries, Lord Jesus. We ask if you bless, Lord. Heal, Lord, in the name of Jesus.

Strengthen, Lord. Straighten them out, Lord Jesus. Save them, Lord, in the name of Jesus, Lord.

Let there be peace on earth and goodwill toward me and Lord. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all that you do. Thank you for Denton County, Lord.

Each and every person, Lord. We thank you and we give you all the glory, all the honor and praises, Lord. Lord, when we get weary, Lord, remind us, Lord Jesus, we can call on your name, Lord.

Each and every one of us can call the same time, Lord. Lord, you're a good, kind, loving God. You're merciful, Lord.

You made ways where we didn't see anyway. Open doors that will close in our face, Lord. Close the doors that need to be closed, Lord.

Please close those doors that need to be closed, Lord. Bless our children, Lord Jesus. You know what they need and how they need it, Lord.

Our school districts, Lord Jesus. Help them, Lord, to do your will, Lord. Let everything that has breath, Lord, praise you, Lord.

Lord, in the name of Jesus, bless this meeting, Lord. Let it be done decent in order, Lord, according to your will, Lord. Let us serve your people, Lord Jesus.

Not us, ourselves, Lord, but let us serve your people, Lord. We thank you and we give you all the glory, all the honor and all the praises, Lord, because you're worthy to be praised. In your son Jesus' name.

Thank you, Jesus. Amen. Amen.

SEBASTIAN

Join me in a pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, and to the great state of Texas. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one indivisible.

EADS

Well, Commissioner Mitchell, thank you so much for your inspirational prayer, and I can't think of a better way to start the year and our first meeting of the year than with you playing your blessings over everyone. Thank you, Brad. Absolutely.

All right. At this time, I'd like, we have one registered speaker for public comments, and we'll call on Turid, if you'll please.

MITCHELL

Oh, thank you, Jesus.

EADS

Good morning. It's been a while since we've met. I'm glad that you, I'm glad you came to visit with us this morning.

I fondly remember our meeting many, many years ago, probably 10 or 12 years ago, when we had a great visit about this very same project I think you're going to talk to us about, so be sure to speak into that microphone there,

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

can you hear me?

EADS

Yes, ma'am. Thank you for being here.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

We are still working on trying to put into reservation the meadow, Cross Timbers Meadow, with more species than any other conserved area in North Texas and probably in the whole nation. So, as you know, Cross Timbers Ecology is a narrow strip between Arkansas down to Hill Country, and it's some places only a few miles wide, and the typical local trees there, the postdocs and the blackjacks and a few others are in danger. Yes.

But not only that, I always tell people, if you see an ugly place, build there and make it beautiful. Don't take the most beautiful place you see and erase everything and build.

EADS

Correct.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

So, I'm trying to convince developers that, but I haven't been successful so far, so that's why I'm talking to you guys.

EADS

Okay.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

I was here on the 9th of December and gave a generic overview over what is at risk here for not just our project, but for the entire region has this specific, and it only exists one place on the earth, and that's here.

EADS

Correct.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

So, we need to take good care of it. English is not my first language, so I have written down what I plan to say. I actually figured out in December that this coming Thursday was the deadline for giving a submit something to the court, and all of a sudden yesterday I discovered meeting is today, and the developers are busy.

As Belknap and his helpers know, they are busy trying to finish this area. Since the paving of the easement road over this meadow I'm concerned about, this Friday actually, they're often delayed, but it could happen already this Friday, I'm pleading to the fire marshal to just for this stretch use the national standard for roads which are 19 feet. It can still be done.

Concrete isn't poured and five feet matters. And the fire marshal and Belknap have the plans for narrowing the road. Also, I have to point out that we have a cattle gate there that's torn down, and it's unsure if it will be set up, and we are planning to have cattle, but we can't have cattle when there's construction going on.

So, grazing animals is the best way to protect this meadow. Oh, was that three minutes?

EADS

That was three minutes, but I'll let you go ahead and complete your thoughts. I appreciate you being here. Go ahead.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

Well, this land is a priceless nature study area. It's a reference area for any botanist, and one of the owners is a botanist and a biologist, and she has roamed this land for 40 years observing the different plants and animals, and despite severe difficulty, walking since 2010, she still walks the property, and since 2015, she has been taking photographs of the plants and animals and posting them with web organization iNaturalist, which a current personal total from our land alone is 4,335 photographs posted, covering 612 species of plants, animals. A few years ago, we had Bill Nieman.

He was canvassing the area, and he said there's no other place in Texas I've seen so many species of the original prairie grass. So, this is a treasure chest. We, on the deep docks, agreed to widen the road from 30 feet to 60 feet, but we were never imagining it would be that 24 feet just above this mirror, and I have a background as an environmental planner.

We actually, together with 20 scientists, established the first one in Northern Europe, and it's been copied all over in the 70s. I also have a long experience reviewing road plans for my home country, and when you come to Oslo, you can see the wall at the rail station. I developed a way of using fire code there, so we could still have the beauty of looking after the Oslo fjord where everyone comes.

I have 60 years' experience. I may not look like I'm 82, but that's what I am, and I so much wish to help to do this right, and our family has actually dedicated this medal to the public. We could take in millions of dollars for it, but we are not interested in that.

We have a roof over our heads, and that's what we need, and last time I talked about flooding neighbor properties. You have that in writing. I sent it out to the commissioners, and I will give you a copy also, Andy.

We need to keep the skuldersaks in front of this cattle gate, as Brad Sebastian instructed us in 2019, where he was out here and looked at the development we had done, and that is now erased from the plans from the new developers.

EADS

I ask you to wrap that up.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

I will give you the printout.

EADS

Perfect. I would love that. We'll be in touch with you.

I'd like to get more information about the public dedication of the meadow. I'd like to get more information about that.

SPEAKER FROM CROSS TIMBERS MEADOW

I admire all the work you do for historic issues. I can give you a countdown of all the historic pieces we have on this property.

EADS

Perfect. We'd love that. We had a great visit years ago.

It's a great piece of property. I appreciate your dedication to try to preserve it, what you can of it. I appreciate that.

Yes, ma'am. All right. Let's go to item 3A, which is a presentation of the 2025 Texas Fire Marshals Association Excellence Award to the Denton County Fire Marshals Office and any appropriate action, and Brad, if you'll come forward, we will love to hear from you, and then I've got some presentations here.

Go right ahead, sir.

SEBASTIAN

Thank you, Judge and Commissioner. First, I want to apologize to the Texas Fire Marshals Association, West Hillsphere, to present, and they had a mix-up in their schedule, so apologies from them. I will tell you, we are honored to receive this award. This was at the conference that we received the award this last year. It is the second consecutive G.O.A.T. Award for Excellence in Fire Prevention.

Let's get this closer.

So, with that, I want to thank Texas Fire Marshals Association for selecting this, and my team, if I could come forward.

EADS

Yeah, everybody come down.

SEBASTIAN

I want to thank them for the endless hours in developing policies, fire code, and preparations for this award. Many hours that were put in by each of them. A lot of them are not here today, as with all of our teams, it appears there's some sicknesses, some illnesses, but most of all, I want to thank you, Judge and Commissioners, for the support that y'all give us.

There's no way this could happen without you. When you support our budgets that allow us to create our fund lexical, so we can create policies and procedures. When you have supported our fire code, the new adoption of the 2021, all those things help move us forward to be able to accept this award.

So, I just want to say thank you again, Judge.

EADS

Well, thank you. On behalf of the million residents that call Denton County, I just want to say thank you to what y'all do. Y'all, through your good efforts, are preserving life and property and making Denton County a safer place for everyone to live, work, and play.

So, I want to thank y'all for what you do. And your profession changes all the time. The new standards, new codes that you're having to deal with as the county grows and develops.

And you're looking at new fire codes and how do we stay up to date on all the latest best practices and codes. And so, I appreciate all that y'all do. I would like to read from this press release dated from the fall.

This was today at the 2025 Annual Texas Fire Marshals Conference. Denton County Fire Marshals Office was awarded the 2025 Achievement of Excellence Gold Level Award. The TXFMA President, Buddy Rice, stated, on behalf of the Texas Fire Marshals Association, congratulations on achieving the Excellence Award for your community.

This award represents one of the highest honors in fire prevention, recognizing departments that lead with innovation, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to public safety. Your county now joins a very select group of communities in Texas that have earned this distinction. The path of this recognition is rigorous, requiring hard work, professionalism, and vision.

Your team's efforts have not only met but also exceeded those standards, raising the bar for fire prevention across the state. We sincerely thank you for your dedication and for going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and serve. Your work reflects the best of what the fire service stands for and we are proud to celebrate this achievement with you.

And I would like to go on to add that the Achievement of Excellence in Fire Prevention Award is an annual recognition presented to organizations that demonstrate excellence in fire prevention. Established in 2008, the award is administered by the Texas Fire Marshals Association, the official state chapter of the International Fire Marshals Association. And to successfully receive this award, the applicant must obtain a total of at least 130 points for bronze level, 155 for silver, and 180 for gold out of a possible 210.

This is, as you mentioned earlier, this is the second year that Denton County has received this. I just want to congratulate you, thank each and every one of you for what you do to save life and property. We really appreciate the good work that you do and thank you for answering the call to public service and to the fire service in particular.

Anyone want to say anything else? Yes ma'am.

EDMONDSON

Brad and your department, I am so proud of all of you. As you know, we're moving forward with a county-wide fire protection plan which we've been greatly involved in.

EADS

Dianne, pull that mic up to you.

EDMONDSON

Okay, is that better?

EADS

Yes.

EDMONDSON

I think it's easy for those of us who are not out in the field as you are to take public safety for granted and yet you all are there and you're making sure that we are safe. I appreciate it very, very much and congratulations to all of you. I know lots of our departments get awards, but I'm particularly proud of y'all and this award, so thank you for all you've done to earn it.

Keep up the good work.

EADS

Any other comments?

FALCONER

Well I just say, as Dianne just mentioned, public safety is our number one most important thing that we do and you guys are right there at the tip of the spear on that and we appreciate all the good things you do to keep us safe.

MITCHELL

To echo what everyone else has said, I just want to thank you for the job that you all do, not only in the community, but what you do here for us. You know, every one of you are to be commended for all that you do, wherever you do it because you know when you go to all these conferences, you always hear about Denton County. You all make Denton County proud.

Thank you. I know you have to put out a lot. Your family have to suffer.

You're gone. They don't know if you're coming back or not when you go to fight these fires and we've had a lot of fires during these last months. Thank you for being there.

Thank you for protecting Denton County. Thank you for protecting the citizens all over, not only Denton County because y'all go other places to help. I thank you.

We could not make it without our fire department and without you all, the service that you all give. We just thank you and I'll be waiting on my badge.

SEBASTIAN

Yes, ma'am.

EDMONDSON

And get a gun too.

EADS

All right, well thank y'all so much. Let's give them a big Denton County hand everybody. Okay, let's go to item 4A, which is a public hearing for Tuesday, January the 6th, 2026 at 9 a.m. to consider, approve, deny, and or take appropriate action for a Special Use Permit request (LRR-1025-0019). The property is R959101 is located at Lake Ray Roberts located in the Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning District and Commissioner Precinct 1. Do we have a motion to open the public hearing?

MITCHELL

So moved.

EADS

Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion?

All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

We are in a public hearing. Is there anyone in attendance wishing to speak in favor of or opposed to the proposed action? Is there anyone in attendance wishing to speak in favor of or opposed to the proposed action?

Hearing none, do we have a motion to close the public hearing? Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. Now do we have a motion?

FALCONER

move to approve

EADS

We have a motion for approval by Commissioner Falconer.

MITCHELL

Second.

EADS

Second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Let me see if we have any other guests here on an item.

All right let's proceed. Members let's go back to item two which is our consent agenda. Are there any items you'd like to pull off the consent agenda?

Would we have a motion for approval as presented?

FALCONER

So moved

EADS

We have a motion by Commissioner Falconer.

EDMONDSON

Second.

EADS

Second by Commissioner Edmondson. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item two.

The consent agenda today consists of item 2a approval of the order making appointments. Item 2b is approval of the November 2025 road superintendent report. This is presented for recording purposes only.

And item 2c is approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-128 for the sheriff's office to transfer 726 dollars from administrative equipment to capital equipment to cover additional costs with fingerprint development system that was included in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Let's go to item 3b is approval resolution recognizing Michael Eoff's retirement and any appropriate action. And I'm sorry Michael couldn't be with us today but I do hope that he's watching.

I'm going to go ahead and pull this out. This is a resolution honoring Michael Eoff for 18 years of dedicated service to Denton County. The Denton County Commissioner's Court Denton County Texas during a regular session on the sixth day of January 2026 considered the following resolution whereas Michael Eoff has been a loyal employee of the Denton County Road and Bridge West now known as Denton County Department of Transportation Engineering and retired on January the 2nd 2026 after over 18 years of service.

Whereas Michael was hired as a driver equipment operator in 2007 promoted heavy equipment operator in 2011 and promoted road foreman in 2015 where he finished out his career. Whereas Michael was a dedicated employee provided valuable service to the Department of Transportation and Engineering as well as the residents of Denton County. Michael's attention to detail equipment knowledge road knowledge and overall department knowledge were valuable to the county and residents of Denton County.

Whereas the Department of Transportation and Engineering would like to thank Michael for his commitment and hard work throughout his career and wish him well in his retirement. We hope Michael will not forget his work family here at Denton County's Department of Transportation Engineering. We look forward to hearing from his many adventures ahead by enjoying endless days on the lake and camping with his family and friends.

You can guarantee he will love retirement and now therefore be it resolved the Denton County Commissioners Court Denton County Texas is hereby extend to Michael over our sincere and grateful appreciation for his dedicated service to Denton County. We congratulate Michael on his well-earned retirement extend our best wishes to him for continued success happiness and good health in the years to come down an open court. This is sixth day of January 2026 upon a motion by the chair second by Commissioner Edmondson.

Michael I'm sorry you can't be here today to hear me compliment you but I do want to say you came to the county right after I did and we worked together many years at Denton County Road and Bridge West and I just want to say you did a great job constructing and improving the roadways out there but also constructing a positive culture out there at the road and bridge department. I appreciate you leading the crews on the important job of maintaining our roads and bridges in the western part of the county. So I want to thank you for for all that you've done and I wish you a very happy and blessed retirement.

Does anyone want to say anything? Commissioner Edmondson.

EDMONDSON

I want to thank him as you did for his leadership in the road and bridge west crew. It's it's really something when you get to know these people that are out there fixing the potholes and making sure the roads are are done correctly and that's for all of us. We need to all be grateful for these folks and Michael sounds to me like you're going to have a great retirement and you certainly deserve it.

Thanks for all you've done for us.

MITCHELL

I just want to say thanks to Michael and happy retirement.

EADS

Yeah, happy retirement. That's a good word. That's right.

All right. All of we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion?

All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations Michael.

Wish you all the best. Let's go to 5A. Approval of the bill report.

Payments from CSCD Community Corrections, TAIP, Sheriff's Training, Sheriff's Forfeiture, VIT Interest, and DA Forfeiture Funds are presented for recording purposes only. Mr. May.

MAY

Good morning judges and commissioners. I have no changes today. Recommend approval as presented.

EADS

We have a motion to approve it as presented. So moved. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell.

Second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.

Next let's go to item 6A. Approval to exempt from competitive bidding and approval of the purchase of a specialized insurance policy through the county's authorized insurance broker. Any appropriate action?

Do we have a motion for approval? Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 6B.

Approval exemption from bidding for contingency mosquito fogging services from PRP Services, LLC, DBA, Municipal Mosquito is allowed by Section 262.024(a)(2) of the Local Government Code. Any appropriate action? Motion by Commissioner Falconer.

Second by Commissioner Edmondson. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is 6C. Approval of renewal of ITB #23-2792 surface treatment aggregate type D grade 3 to CJA Enterprises, LLP. Motion by Commissioner Edmondson.

Second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is 6D. Approval renewal of ITB #23-2793 window washing services to D&A Building Services, Inc.. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell.

Second by Commissioner Edmondson. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is 7A. Report for miscellaneous equipment and software services presented for recording purposes only. Let's go to 7B.

This is approval of the Budget Amendment Request #2026-127 for the Sheriff's Office to transfer $40,134 from capital equipment and $62,858 from the capital equipment to vehicle equipment for a total of $102,992. The transfer is needed to move funds to correct capital items and spend categories to fund the purchase of in-car cameras, vehicle equipment, and any appropriate action. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell.

Second by Commissioner Edmondson. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is 8A. Report from human resource regarding hiring actions of elected officials. This is presented for recording purposes only.

Mr. Hernandez.

HERNANDEZ

Judge, Commissioners, good morning and happy new year. We have one promotion in the 211th District Court, one new hire in the 467th District Court, one promotion in the District Court, three new hires in juvenile probation, two promotions in juvenile probation, four new hires in the Sheriff's Office, all of them detention officer ones, and one re-hire in the Sheriff's Office. That's it.

EADS

I think it's always good to see the Sheriff have new hires on there, isn't it? It's a positive thing every week when I look at that. Next is 10A.

Approval of a request to hold a public hearing Tuesday, January the 27th, 2026 at 9 a.m. to consider, approve, deny, or take appropriate action for a zoning change request. LRR-1125-0020. The property is R80396 is located in Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning District at Commissioner Precinct 3.

Oh, Precinct 1. Thank you. She didn't want that.

We have a motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is 10B. Approval of a request to hold a public hearing Tuesday, January the 27th, 2026 at 9 a.m. to consider, approve, deny, and or take appropriate action for a variance request. LRR-1125-0021.

The property is R80396 is located in Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning District at Commissioner Precinct 1. Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. Next is 10C. Approval of a request to hold a public hearing Tuesday, January the 27th, 2026 at 9 a.m. to consider, approve, deny, and or take appropriate action for a special use permit. LRR-1125-0022. The property is R80396 is located in Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning District at Commissioner Precinct 1. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer.

Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Next is 12A.

Approval of the purchase of a single duty weapon by Denton County Sheriff's Office Deputy Cliff Swofford following his honorable retirement on December 19, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Edmondson, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. Next is 13A. Acceptance of the fiscal year 2026 hotel occupancy tax grant award for the City of Denton in the amount of $300,000 and any appropriate action the chair move for approval.

FALCONER

Second.

EADS

I want to see Commissioner, motion by the chair, second by Commissioner Falconer. I do want to say thank you so much to the City of Denton for your continued partnership with the county and our hotel. Roslyn's here in the back.

Hello Ros. That we got this $300,000 which would help to go towards our historical park and we could appreciate the partnership between the county and the city. Any other comments?

All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. We'll do 13B and C after executive session. Next is 14A.

Approval of Amendment 1 to Pharmacy and Medical Surgical Supply Services Agreement between Clinical Solutions LLC and Denton County, Texas. Motion by Commissioner Edmondson, second by Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion?

All in favor say aye.

FALCONER

Aye.

EADS

Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. All right, let's go to item. Do we get everything?

Okay, let's go to item 17 which is community updates and I'm going to start this time and I want to give it on behalf of the court and our county employees. I want to give a big shout out to our Denton County Treasurer Cindy Brown as she leads the Texas Associated Counties Board and I want to read this these comments that Denton County Treasurer Cindy Gates Brown will become the president of the Texas Association of Counties Attack Board of Directors on January the 1st. She will succeed Yoakum County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tim Addison who will move into an ex-officio role of immediate past president at its quarterly meeting December 12th.

The board elected Clinton County Tax Assessor-Collector Randy Riggs as president-elect in Comal County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jen Crownover as vice president. Both will assume new roles January 1st alongside Brown. The new leadership term will serve two years through the end of 2027 and Brown, Riggs, and Crownover have each previously held the respective county office have led the respective county office association.

So, I just want to congratulate Cindy. I want to thank her for her not only her public service but her service to our profession by being on the tack board all these many years and now leading it as a president of the board of Texas Association of Counties. So, this is a very big deal.

It's a big deal for TAC, a big deal for Cindy, and a big deal for Denton County. So, Cindy, thank you and congratulations on that.

EDMONDSON

Judge.

EADS

Yes, please, please add.

EDMONDSON

I think it's really important whenever you go to anything that TAC is doing whether it's a regional workshop or whether it's a statewide thing Denton County is always very very well represented. We receive awards as you've seen today and I want to congratulate Cindy personally for all the hard work she has done and all the hard work she's going to do and once again Denton County will be leading the way and she's going to do a great job for us. Congratulations, Cindy.

EADS

Yes. Okay, Commissioner Falconer.

FALCONER

Oh, just want to extend the same congratulations. She's doing a great job and we're proud of her.

EADS

Okay, is that all you had for today?

FALCONER

Oh, I'm sorry. You, I, oh yeah. I've got a line.

EADS

Go right ahead. Yeah, I always go last. I thought I'm going to go first today.

FALCONER

That is fine. Yeah, we've got, I've got a couple of things which are actually in Carrollton. So, there's the neighborhood advisory and commissioner meeting on the 8th from 6 30 to 8 30 and then that'll be at city hall and then there's a from vision to viability non-profit funding strategies session and that'll be at the Josey Ranch Library on January 12th from 6 to 7 30 and then a couple of congratulations and a reminder here the Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD Saxophone Ensemble went to, performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago recently which is a major deal. I'm very proud of them for doing that. It's an international band and orchestra conference and they were selected to perform there.

So, congratulations to them. Former alto sax guy. I appreciate that. and then Carrollton has their volunteer award nominations open now through the end of the month and so if you have any Carrollton volunteers you'd like to recognize, make sure you put in that nomination and that's all I have.

EADS

Perfect. Good. Commissioner Mitchell.

MITCHELL

I want to first start off, Judge, with condolence to the family, friends, and work family of James Conkey who was the Lewisville Director of Community Engagement at the City of Lewisville and James was always the voice that you heard especially in parades or anything that had to do with community. James was a part of that. His funeral was going to be held on Saturday, January 10th at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Coppell. So, I want to ask you to be praying for the family.

EADS

I want to add comments on the record about James. He was such a professional in everything that he did and Lewisville's my hometown as I like to say and I really appreciate the way he supported the council and the staff there in such a meaningful way and really helped promote the City of Lewisville. So, it is a it's a deep loss and it was a surprise when I heard that news and so anyway I want to for some reason the family's watching this I just want to tell them thank you for sharing your your husband and dad with the with the City of Lewisville and the larger Denton County family.

So, yeah it's a big loss.

MITCHELL

Also, in Flower Mound we have the Community Activity Center open house on January 10th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have the Flower Mound Farmer's Market on January 11th, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lake City's Chamber, monthly lunch on January 14th, 11 30 to 1. On Saturday in Lewisville, we're going to have the Saturday Bird Watch, January 10th, 7 30 a.m. 11 30 a.m. and then we're going to have a River Care Cleanup on January 10th at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and if you want to sign up for baseball you can do it in Corinth on Saturday, January 25th.

EADS

Perfect, thank you. Commissioner Edmondson.

EDMONDSON

Well, happy new year to everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and on that note may I just give a blanket thank you to everybody who gave gifts here to the commissioners. We had so many and it was such confusion frankly sometimes.

I'm not sure I know who gave me what but I appreciate every single one of you and surely for goodness I'm not the only commissioner that got confused. Oh, sorry Commissioner Mitchell.

MITCHELL

I've been here a while.

EDMONDSON

Anyway, thank you very much. We appreciate it and I hope you all know how much you are appreciated by us. So, talking about what we've got going on, let me start off with something that is really in precinct one rather than precinct four.

But TWU has just named again a student, pardon me, the governor has named a student regent for the TWU board of regents and it's a young man from Sanger. Dawn, have you had a chance to find his name? Okay, well I and I'm sorry I did not write it down either but that's a huge honor and I'd like to congratulate this young man and Sanger for having a young man of that quality.

So, now let's talk about what's going on in precinct four. Denton has adapted an inclusive recreation dance that they're going to be doing on the 9th from 7 to 9 p.m. Parades are 16 and up. They'll have a disco music floor, a photo booth, and fellowship.

You may register online at the city of Denton Parks and Recreation Department and then they've got something called Citizen Science and that's going to be on the 17th from 2 to 1 p.m. and that's at the South Branch Library and it says learn how to become a citizen scientist. That ought to be pretty interesting. Over in Justin, they're going to continue to have breakfast with the mayor and that will be on the 9th at 6 to 8.

That mayor gets up early. 6 to 8 a.m. at the Lonesome Spur Cafe on Highway 156 and this is an unusual one. In Roanoke, there's a flash fiction writing contest.

January 1st through 24th. There are three divisions in this contest, middle school, high school, and adult and all entries must be 500 to 1,000 words submitted no later than 11 59 p.m. on January 24th this year. The winners will be announced on January 31st and you can get full details on the public library website at the city of Roanoke to submit entries.

I think that's kind of a cool contest and 500 to 1,000 words is not a lot so that'll probably, you should probably come too.

MITCHELL

Ten minutes.

EDMONDSON

True. And then lastly, I'd like to shout out to the Ryan Rader Band for their participation in the Sugar Bowl Parade. They were among 10 high school marching bands from across the entire country to be a part of that event and I hope you, like I, was able to watch that parade.

It's always a great parade and we're so proud of our Ryan High School Band for being there. So that's all I have right now.

EADS

Perfect. Good. Thank you.

I'd like to to give a big Denton County shout out to Greg Tierney and Motor City Pizza. They're in Lewisville and Bobby and I know Greg for all these many years and Motor City Pizza has been named the best pizza company in the southwest region by Pizza Today. Didn't know there was a thing called Pizza Today but I think that is great and I've been there many times and I encourage people to go out and support this local independent pizza company.

They're on 407 in Lewisville. They do a great job, don't they Bobby? It's just great and I would like to give a big Denton County shout out to Flower Mounds Prairie View Elementary School.

Those kids collected the most donations in LISD's annual Stuff the Pantry food drive this fall. So that is that Rhonda taught there. That's great.

Well, that's good. I appreciate those kids and parents supporting our food insecurity efforts here in the county. So thank you so much to all the kiddos and the staff and volunteers and parents of Flower Mounds Prairie View Elementary.

Okay, this is fun. Last month, Irene Shaw celebrated her 106th birthday and she was born in 1919 and she's a Denton County resident and she credits her longevity to her lifelong work at a variety of jobs. So that's great.

So hopefully she's retired. So anyway, I think that's wonderful that she is celebrating her 106th birthday. I would like to remind everybody that this month is school board recognition month.

We appreciate all our school board members. Jodi, you're for one. Thank you for your service to the school board.

We have so many school board members across Denton County. They have a tough job. They have a tough job.

It's a tough job being on the school board and I want to thank them for the for the good work that they have done and will continue to do to promote education here in the county. Their work will continue to improve our school and create a strong public schools and it is greatly appreciated. I would like to give a couple announcements from precinct one.

Speaking of schools, the Denton guy or volleyball alum Kendall Stowers, she congratulations to Kendall who helped to lead the Texas A&M University to its first national volleyball championship. So shout out to Kendall and our Aggie volleyball team. I would like to also announce that the Little Elm Police Department is accepting applications for the spring 2026 Citizen Police Academy.

So this is something that you're interested in. The program begins on March the 10th and runs 10 weeks. Our application process closes February the 1st.

So get those in and you can apply online at the Little Elm Police Department. All right, we have a couple of.

EDMONDSON

Judge.

EADS

Yes ma'am.

EDMONDSON

I just got, thank you Dawn, looked up the name of the young man from Sanger and I'd like to personally congratulate David Jennings for being the new TWU student regent. So congratulations.

EADS

Perfect and I would like to make it, thank you Commissioner. I would like to mention, you know, Denton County does a great job with leading our blood drives throughout the year and after the holidays. This is sometimes a low, this is sometimes a low time for donations, for blood donations after the holidays and so I would like to remind everybody to our employees who are watching or to the general public who's watching that we do have a blood drive here in Denton on January the 15th over at the jail here at the Administrative Courthouse and at the Courts Building.

So the public is invited, employees you are invited, and we would welcome you to come out and give a blood donation on January the 15th. All right, any other announcements for anyone? Let's go to Executive Session and we have three items today.

First is under 15A, Texas Government Code §551.087, deliberation regarding economic development negotiation to closely deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory the governmental body located in Denton County Commissioner Precinct No. 4 and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development negotiations. 15B, under Texas Government Code §551.0745(a)(1), Personnel Matters Affecting County Advisory Body, closely deliberate the appointment, employment evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a member of an advisory body with the City of Corinth tax increment reinvestment zone number two, TIRZ number two board.

And 15C is Texas Government Code §551.0745(a)(1), Personnel Matters Affecting County Advisory Body, closely deliberate the appointment, employment evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a member of an advisory body with the Denton County MHMR, Board of Trustees, any appropriate action.

All right, and it is 9:56 and we are in Executive Session. Thank you.

EADS

It is 12:18. We reconvene from Executive Session. There'll be no action under 15A, no action. 15B is also 13B, which is approval of the board appointments to the City of Corinth tax increment reinvestment zone number two.

Any appropriate action? We have a motion by Commissioner Falconer.

FALCONER

Yes, I'd like to reappoint Kelly Sayre to the City of Corinth TIRZ number two board for a two-year term.

EADS

All right, the chair will second it. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. 15C is also 13C, which is approval of the appointments to the Denton County MHMR, Board of Trustees, and we have a motion by Commissioner Edmondson.

EDMONDSON

I would like to reappoint Kelly Sayre to this board, as well as Dianne Hickey, who is chairman of that board.

EADS

All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

I would just like to remind folks that there will be no meeting Tuesday, January the 20th, just so people can kind of mark their calendar. No meeting Tuesday, January 20th or the February 17th. All right, hearing no other action before the court, we are adjourned.

Thank you.