2026-03-17 Denton County Commissioners Court

EADS

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I look around this courtroom, we've got lots of people wearing their greens. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Proud of my family's Irish heritage. My mother was Colleen Sally O'Donnell, so it doesn't get much more Irish than that. So if you're watching mother, happy St. Patrick's Day. So anyway, I'd like to welcome everybody to the Tuesday, March 17, 2026 meeting of the Denton County Commissioner's Court. We're glad to have you all here in person. And those of you who are tuning in, welcome.

We're glad to have you here virtually. At this time, I'd like to welcome forward for invocation David Clements, and then our pledges will be led by Eric Gildersleeve. If you'll please stand.

CLEMENTS

Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for this day that you have made. I thank you for the many blessings that come from your hand.

We thank you today that we rise today in the strength of the Lord. We thank you that you give us grace to make decisions in every aspect of our lives. We pray for the people of Denton County.

Be their refuge and their strength, their ever-present help in the time of trouble. We pray for all those who are in the Middle East or have family members in danger zones. Protect them and bring them home safely.

Be their fortress and their shield. Protect our faith communities and our community gathering places from any plans to harm them. I pray for all those who work in federal agencies affected by the federal government shutdown.

Provide for all their needs according to your riches and glory. I pray for all the community leaders, pastors, law enforcement, county employees as they serve this great community. Bless them, Lord, and watch over them.

Guide their steps according to your word. We lift up this commissioner's court meeting today. Give all participating wisdom and guidance as they make important decisions.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard their hearts and guard their minds. We pray for strength, discernment, and safety and the ability to work together. May your goodness continue to cover this court and the residents of Denton County.

We pray for our soldiers deployed overseas from this county as well and around the world. Bless Denton County, bless this great state of Texas, and bless America. In Christ's name, amen.

GILDERSLEEVE

Please join in our pledges. 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 Texas. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible.

EADS

Well, thank you. Thank you for that lovely invocation, David, and thank you, Eric, for the pledges. We have no one registered for public comments today, so there's no public input for items not listed on the agenda.

I would like to go to, we do have some guests with us today, and I would like to go ahead and do 13A, which is consideration and approval of the construction contracts for grading, erosion control, storm drainage, and pavement improvements within the Village Estates Public Improvement District, resolving other matters in connection therewith. Do we have a motion for approval? Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Edmondson.

Any discussion? All in favor, say aye. Aye Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you very much.

Thank y'all for being here this morning. Let's just go to item two, which is our consent agenda. Members, are there any items you'd like to pull off the consent agenda, or do we have a motion to approve as presented?

FALCONER

So moved.

EADS

We have a motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Edmondson.

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

Our consent agenda today is item 2A, approval of order-making appointments. Item 2B is approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-164 for Constable Precinct 3 to transfer $1,150 from ammunition and taser supplies to technology equipment to cover the cost of a replacement.

Scanner in any appropriate action. Item 2C is approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-175 for the District Attorney's Treasury Purchases Forfeiture Fund to transfer $45,000 from technology equipment to body armor to purchase updated body armor for the investigators in the Criminal District Attorney's office.

Let's go to item 5A, which is 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

Thank you, Judge. I have no changes today. Recommend approve as presented.

EADS

All right, we have no changes. Motion for approval. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Edmondson.

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

Next is item 6A, approval of the report on proceeds from the online surplus auction #25-2885 held in October 2025. The chair will move for approval. Second by Commissioner Mitchell.

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

Next is item 6B, approval of the report on proceeds from the online surplus auction #25-2900 held in January 2026. Motion by Commissioner Williams. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Next is item 6C, approval disposal of miscellaneous surplus in compliance with 263.152(a)(3) of the local government code for disposition of surplus property.

WILLIAMS

Move to approve.

EADS

Motion by Commissioner Williams. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Next is item 6D, approval to declare a trailer as surplus property having been determined to be unsafe, unrepairable, and obsolete to Denton County Operations and to dispose of the trailer in compliance with 263.152(a)(3) of the Texas local government code for disposition of surplus property.

FALCONER

Move to approve.

EADS

Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Next is item 6E, approval to declare miscellaneous vehicles and equipment as surplus advertised in place at online auction #26-2904 to be held from March 23rd, 2026 through April the 6th, 2026. Move to approve. Motion by Commissioner Williams. Second by Commissioner Mitchell.

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

Next is 6F, approval of award of ITB #25-2897 fleet vehicles to Caldwell Country Chevrolet, Caldwell Country Ford, Classic Chevrolet Cadillac Denison, Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick Incorporated, Grapevine DCJ LLC, Gunn Chevrolet, Leif Johnson Ford, Red McCombs Ford, Sames Bastrop CDJ LLC, Sames Bastrop Ford Incorporated, Sames Laredo Chevrolet Incorporated, and Silsbee Ford and Southwest Ford and any appropriate action. Move to approve.

Motion by Commissioner Williams. Second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Next is 6G, approval of specifications authority to advertise for RFP #25-2899 full service deputy license agreement and appointment evaluation committee to include Dawn Waye, tax assessor collector, Stacey Dvoracek, deputy tax assessor collector, Holly Sadlowski, chief administrator, the county judge, Capricia Willis, chief administrator, county commissioner, precinct one. The chair will move for approval. Second by Commissioner Williams. Miss Waye, I'd love for you to come up and give a quick rundown on this. I think this is a great concept and I'm glad that we're proceeding forward with this.

Good morning.

WILLIAMS

Good morning, ma'am.

EADS

Is that light on? Okay.

WAY

It is. Can you hear me?

EADS

Good morning, Dawn.

WAY

All right. So a full service deputy is somebody that will offer services for the public and it is a benefit for the people where we'll have extended hours, Saturday hours, and also they'll take care of registrations, also helps minimize the need for extra employees.

EADS

Excellent.

FALCONER

That's a great opportunity.

EADS

Perfect. Well, thank you. This is a new concept being able to come to Denton County and I'm glad that we'll be able to proceed with this procurement exercise here so that we could again provide additional services to the residents here.

So I think this is a this is a great thing. I appreciate your innovation and bringing it forward.

All right. We have any other questions or comments? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Miss Waye.

Next, let's go to item 6h, approved Laserfiche scanning order designated as addendum 16 to master services agreement MSA #25824 with MCCi, LLC through the BuyBoard Cooperative Contract #716-23. Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Mitchell.

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

Next is item 7a, a report for miscellaneous equipment and software services presented for recording purposes only. Next, let's go to 7b, approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-172 for the county auditor's office to transfer $84,400 from non-departmental unappropriated contingency to financial information system technology software services to cover the cost of the workday subscription growth fee. Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Edmondson.

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

Next is 7c, approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-174 for the county jail to transfer $235,890 from salary assistants to overtime cash option outside of the budget amendment and human resources policy as recommended by the budget office. Funds are needed to cover overtime pay for the months of January and February and any appropriate action. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Edmondson.

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

Next is 7d, approval of Budget Amendment Request #2026-177 to transfer $7,000,000 from permanent improvement fund to fund balance to road FM 407 project PRJ-26-0002 for the ICA with the city of Justin. Motion by Commissioner Edmondson, second by the chair.

Any discussion? I'm glad we're getting this one done, Dianne. This has been a little bit we've been working on this one a long time too. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Next is item 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. We have one promotion in the county auditor's office, one new hire in the district attorney's office, one promotion in juvenile probation, one new hire in juvenile probation, three promotions in the sheriff's office. All those are detention officer twos and we have two new hires in the sheriff's office. Those two are detention officer ones.

EADS

Perfect, good. Thank you. Next is item 8b, approval of order making reporting to elected officials not reporting commissioners court that is outside of the county policy. A motion?

WILLIAMS

Move to approve.

EADS

Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Next is 14a, approval of interlocal cooperation agreement between Denton County, Texas and the city of Justin, Texas for the purpose of providing PS&E for FM 407 project from Florance Road to the western Justin City limits with Denton County agreeing to contribute $7,000,000 toward the satisfaction for completion of the project with funding that come from the permanent improvement fund fund balance.

Auditor Line Item #80-2900-00-00 to be transferred to FM 407. Judge, Auditor Line Item #80-7691-90-60, PRJ-26-0002 and any appropriate action. Well, yeah, very delighted. Yes, motion by Commissioner Edmondson. Chair was second.

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

Next is 14b, approval of the second renewal to the agreements for disaster debris removal services RFP #23-2783 between Denton County, Texas and Ceres Environmental Services Incorporated as primary contractor TFR Enterprises Incorporated as secondary contractor and Looks Great Services of MS Incorporated as tertiary contractor in any appropriate action. Motion by Commissioner Falconer, second by Commissioner Mitchell.

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

Next 14c, approval of the contract for engineering services supplemental agreement number 3 between Denton County, Texas and Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated for the FM 2931 project from FM 428 south to US 380 and the additional amount of $37,595 for a total revised contract amount of $4,552,078 with funding to come from FM 2931 Judge Trip 22 PI Road Bonds.

Auditor Line Item No. 89-7415-90-60 and any appropriate action.

WILLIAMS

Move to approve.

EADS

Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Edmondson.

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

That's all of our posted agenda items today. Let's go to item 17, which is committee updates. We'll start with Commissioner Precinct 1.

WILLIAMS

Thank you, Judge. Just have a couple things here. Congratulations to Deputy Fire Marshal Lisa Parker, the first career female firefighter to retire from Denton Fire Department on Friday after 26 years of service. That's pretty cool. Good for her.

And then we had an unfortunate passing. Condolences to the family of David Denton, who was a paraprofessional at Aubrey's ISD McNatt Middle School, and he passed away in an unfortunate golf cart accident this week, this past weekend. And on a little bit of a positive and a higher note, we had the Iron Man this past weekend on Sunday, and it was a huge success. The weather was a little rough with the wind, but what an unbelievable event.

I want to thank not only the Iron Man for choosing Denton County, but Little Elm did a fabulous job hosting, and obviously all the other cities around did a wonderful job and were very appreciative and inclusive of having the Iron Man. And so I want to apologize to any of the citizens that felt like it was a issue for them to have their normal Sunday, but please realize this was a huge impact financially for the Denton County and the cities that were involved in and around, and we look forward to having it again next year. And I actually made sure to ask the CEO of Iron Man to please give us any feedback of anything that we can do to improve the experience of all the fans and the participants, because there were 3,000 participants, and it was exceptional.

And Judge, he and I both froze for a little while, but it was a fun experience. I've never been at anything like that.

EADS

Well, me neither. And it was, yeah, Commissioner, it was great. We were out there in the dark before it ever started, and anyway, it was amazing.

The wind was blowing at 52 miles an hour, and I told the attendees, I said, we have lots of fresh air for you today. Yeah, so we did.

WILLIAMS

his hat blew off about 15 times.

EADS

Yes, but I will say kudos to Little Elm. They did a great job of working with the county and other eight Denton County communities that the course went through. It was amazing.

The professionals, the pros took off first. They did the swimming. They got on the bike, and then the rest of the people, we kind of waited.

They queued up, and then they took off. And then Commissioner Williams and the mayor and those of us that were there, we were walking over to the start of the bicycles. Before we ever walked all the way over there, the pros had already been on the bicycles and were north of Highway 380.

They were already gone and miles away before we walked. I mean, it was that's how fast they were before we could go over there. But anyway, kudos to everybody.

I do want to thank the Denton County Sheriff's Office and Denton County Emergency Management for being there, and I know I'm leaving people out, but anyway, it was a thank you for all y'all's planning and attention to detail and cooperation with everybody.

WILLIAMS

From what I understand, we didn't have any major accidents of any of the participants. I mean, there was a couple people that had small accidents, but nothing super severe.

EADS

A few little things

WILLIAMS

So it was, I think, a huge success.

So thank you again for everybody that was involved.

EADS

And congratulations to Lionel Sanders, who was the winner. We were watching, we're standing there talking to him.

WILLIAMS

I was talking to his wife and her, or him, and I had no clue.

EADS

They're from Tucson.

WILLIAMS

Yeah, I had no clue that he was like a superstar, by the way.

EADS

That's right.

WILLIAMS

That was like his, I don't know, 40th something win, and I mean, the guy's unbelievable.

EADS

I said to the wife, I said, he likes to give pictures. Oh no, he's here to win today. Oh, okay. And he did.

WILLIAMS

Literally, yeah, and he wins.

EADS

Congratulations.

WILLIAMS

Yes, absolutely.

EADS

Glad to have all these people from all over America here to do that. So, all right, fun time. Next.

FALCONER

Oh, thank you, Judge. So I've got a couple of congrats to give out for Precinct 2. So the Frisco High School hockey team, congratulations to them.

They won the Texas Amateur Hockey High School Gold Division State Championship. They're going to go to the Nationals now, so good luck to them. And then out of Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, congratulations go to Mariella Valdez out of Creekview High School and Elena Moreno out of Turner, who are both headed to the Texas High School Women's Powerlifting Association Championships, where they'll be lifting for the gold medal there.

So good luck to them. Congratulations to winning that honor. And then just a few things going on in Carrollton.

There's community clean out, and that's going to be the 21st from 8 to noon. That'll be just across the street from the Carrollton Police Department. So out there cleaning out a bunch of stuff in a place where you can drop off your old stuff and things that you need to get rid of.

And then there's going to be Chalk Art 101 for adults, and that's going to be the 22nd at 130 to 3. That'll be at the Josey Ranch Library, so you get to do some chalk art there.

Frisco is having their Blackland Prairie Day. That's the 18th at the Heritage Center from 10 to noon.

Aqua Egg Hunt, and that'll be the 21st from 9 to noon at the Athletic Center.

And then Shady Shores has their leadership, Shady Shores, and that is the 23rd, 6 to 8, 30 at Town Hall.

And that's all I've got.

EADS

Perfect. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Mitchell.

MITCHELL

Flower Mound has a blood drive on March 18th, 9 to 5 at the library.

On also March 21st, Twin Cove's Park Open House in Flower Mound, 11 to 3.

We also have Sink or Sail Regatta, March 22nd in Flower Mound at the CAC Center.

In Highland Village, we're going to have Easter Egg Roundup, Hound Up, at Broad Hill Park, Unity Park. Bring your fur babies to the first annual Easter Egg Hound Up, where they can snip out doggy treats filled Easter eggs, join the costume contest, take pictures with the Easter Bunny.

In Lewisville, we'll have a Color Fun Run on March 21st, 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at Thrive,

and we're going to have a Refuge for Women at the Embassy Suite on March 19th.

That's all I have this morning. Oh, wait a minute, I have one more. I'm sorry.

EADS

Go right ahead.

MITCHELL

April and I attended the MHMR Substance Use Disorder Outreach from yesterday, and Matt, I want to congratulate your team, the Credible Mind, Alex, and Martha and the whole team. Martha did a great talk, and so I just want to appreciate the job that Denton County is doing that people don't know that they're doing.

Thank you.

EADS

Perfect. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Edmondson.

EDMONDSON

Well, I'd like to start off with a piece of sad news, and it does not involve Denton County, but it's our neighboring county, Wise County. Over the weekend, one of their VFD firefighters and his wife and son were killed in a tragic accident. His little girl survives, but I think we should just send our condolences to them.

And firemen are so special, and it's really sad. He was two weeks away from taking his EMT test.

EADS

Two weeks what?

EDMONDSON

Away from taking his EMT test. It's a VFD over in Paradise. My kids used to live there, so I kind of have a special place for her at Paradise.

Back here in Denton, it is Women's History Month, and there's celebrations, for example, on the 21st from 10 to 12 at the MLK Rec Center. They're going to have a celebration commemorating the achievements of women in American history. The national theme for Women's History Month is Moving Forward Together, Women Educating and Inspiring Generations, and that's a great theme. I think we can, all the women here can take some credit in that.

And then we have a Women's Business Expo, and that again will be at the MLK Center from 10 to 1 on that same day. So you can go to two different things there. This one is talking about showcasing the local businesses owned by women. The vendor booth will be open to all attendees at the celebration.

And then last, we've got our Denton Community Market opening back up March 21st from 9 to 1. Come out and enjoy a variety of homemade items, local produce, and more.

There will be yoga done behind the Quaker House from 9 30 to 10 30. So that's it for precinct 4.

EADS

Perfect. Good. Well, thank you.

And I do want to mention, speaking of history, our Office of History and Culture, we have a new exhibit open at the Courthouse on the Square. It's called Commerce and Community. It is now open, and it runs through Halloween.

And so that is a exhibit highlights the impact of small business and features artifacts and photographs related to our Denton County local businesses. And a big shout out to Flower Mound High School students for three seniors put their brains together and came up with an innovative biomedical system design that earned them a winning status at the Explorer Vision regional competition. So congratulations to them.

After moving on from the regional competition, the three have an opportunity to win bonds worth $10,000 each at the national competition. So congratulations to our future leaders.

All right, let's go to executive session. We have a couple items here today, which is 15A, Texas Government Code 551.071(1)(A), consultation with attorney in closed meeting when the governmental body seeks the advice of the attorney about pending and contemplated litigation regarding 4:23-cv-01002, Jake Michael Peterson versus the Chief Deputy Dwayne Dockery et al., the Eastern District Court of Texas. And 15B, Texas Government Code 551.071(1)(A), consultation with attorney in closed meeting when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about contemplated litigation against the North Central Texas Council of Governments. And it is 935, and we are in executive session. Thank you.

All right, it is 1130. We've reconvened from executive session.

We'll go to item 15A. We have (1), assign the legal representation on behalf of Denton County, Texas and cause number 4:23-cv-01002, Jake Michael Peterson versus Chief Deputy Dwayne Dockery et al., in the Eastern District Court of Texas, Sherman Division, to the law firm of Matthews, Shiels, Knott, Eden, Davis, and Beanland, LLP, and (2), exempt contract of employment with the law firm of Matthews, Shiels, Knott, Eden, Davis, and Beanland, LLP from the requirement established by the Texas local government code section 262.023, if applicable, and (3), authorize the Denton County judge to sign the contract of employment with the law firm of Matthews, Shiels, Knott, Eden, Davis, and Beanland, LLP. Do we have a motion for approval? Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

And go to item 15B. Number one, assign the legal representation on behalf of Denton County, Texas to Hayes, Berry, White, and Vanzant, LLP regarding litigation involving the North Central Texas Council of Governments and two, exempt contract of employment with Hayes, Berry, White, and Vanzant, LLP from the requirement established by the Texas local government code section 262.023, if applicable, and three, authorize the Denton County judge to sign the contract of employment with Hayes, Berry, White, and Vanzant, LLP. The chair move for approval.

FALCONER

Second.

EADS

Second by Commissioner Falconer.

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

Hearing no other action before the court, we are adjourned. Thank you.