2026-05-12 Denton County Commissioners Court

EADS

Good morning everybody. It's great to have you on. some special faces and guests with us today. I would like to call the Tuesday, May 12, 2026 meeting of the Denton County Commissioner's Court to order.

And we have our invocation this morning is going to be led by our very own Public Health Director, Dr. Matt Richardson, and our pledges will be led by Clint Shepard. And if y'all will please stand and I want to remind everybody to please turn off your cell phones. Thank you. Good morning, Matt.

RICHARDSON

Good morning, Matt. Good morning, Judge and Commissioners. Please join me in prayer.

Our Father, we just thank you. We bring gratitude to you this morning for a beautiful day before us, Father. We know these days are not promised and we recognize them for what they are, which is a gift from you.

Father, we thank you for that. We thank you for springtime and new beginnings. This marvelous temperature, Father, we're embracing it.

We know it's going to change this summer, but Father, we thank you for today. We just thank you for this sunshine and the blue sky and this reminder of your creation. Father, we thank you for the women in our lives and, Father, with this past Mother's Day and those that we have and those that we've lost.

Father, we know what a blessing our mothers have been. Father, our children, with these graduations and new beginnings, Father, the milestones that happen, Father, we celebrate those. We thank you for those.

But we know that in some families and some of our friends that this can be a hard time for so many reasons because along with celebration can sometimes come loss. And, Father, we recognize that loss and we ask your healing hand to be placed on these hearts that we know that are us as well. Father, we ask for peace and mercy and grace for others, for ourselves.

But, Father, we just we bring our brokenness to you for the losses that we have suffered along with these new beginnings and celebrations. It's both things, God, and that's that is how your creation has unfolded. And so we just ask for your healing hand because we don't know what else to ask for.

Father, in this broken world and that we see with war and violence, Father, we petition you this morning for peace. We know that you are the God of peace and that not only can you heal our lives and not only are you a father, as you say in the scriptures to us, but you are a healer and you are the great I am. And we ask this morning that you heal this world.

May you remove conflict because, Father, that's what we see. Along with sunshine, we do see darkness in different parts of your world. Father, with all of these things we bring to you, we bring them, Father, in supplication.

We just we come to you knowing that we're not worthy and yet you are the creator. And so we bring them to you earnestly this morning and we thank you for the life and the death and the resurrection of your son who is going to make all things right in your creation. Father, we thank you for Jesus and it's his name we pray this morning.

Amen.

EADS

Amen. Thank you, Matt.

SHEPARD

You want me for the pledge of allegiance. 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 for the great state of Texas. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.

EADS

Well, thank you, Clint. And thank you, Dr. Richardson, for the very beautiful prayer. I always enjoy and I'm blessed by your prayers.

Teresa, we have no one listed for item one. Okay, so we will proceed past. There's no one registered for item one, which is public input for items not listed on the agenda.

We'll go ahead and proceed to item number 3A, which is approval of a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as All Rise National Treatment Court Month. And we have Kevin Edwards with us. Is that right?

Good morning. And Kevin, you're welcome to bring up anyone else that is with you this morning from the department. We're glad to have you.

Go right ahead.

EDWARDS

Good morning. Good morning, judge. Good morning, commissioners.

We've got several members of our DWI treatment court team here with us. We just wanted to just express our appreciation for all that the court does to support our programs. We believe that these programs are very beneficial in changing lives in our community and restoring people back into productive members of society.

So we just appreciate all the support that you guys have shown us.

EADS

Absolutely. Well, thank y'all for being here and what y'all do routinely throughout the year. This is a court proclamation recognizing May as All Rise National Treatment Court Month.

Whereas according to All Rise, treatment courts are the most successful justice system intervention in our nation's history for reducing crime by addressing substance use and mental health disorders. Whereas treatment courts save an average of more than $6,000 for every individual they serve. Whereas treatment courts provide a range of economic benefits to a community such as reduce costs in court and prison expenditures, increase tax revenues, lower foster care expenses, and decrease costs related to victimization.

Whereas treatment courts combine accountability with evidence-based treatment. Whereas treatment courts annually refer more than 150,000 people for life-saving treatment and recovery support services. And whereas according to All Rise, treatment courts significantly improve substance use and mental health disorder treatment outcomes and prevent fatal overdoses.

And whereas treatment courts facilitate community-wide partnerships bringing together public safety and public health. And whereas there are now more than 4,000 treatment courts nationwide and Denton County has five specialized treatment courts to include the DWI Treatment Court, Drug Treatment Court, Family Drug Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, and the Veterans Treatment Court. And whereas treatment courts demonstrate that one person, that when one person rises, we all rise.

And now therefore be it resolved that the Denton County Commissioners Court of Denton County, Texas does hereby proclaim May 2026 as All Rise National Treatment Court Month here in Denton County. Done in open court this the 12th day of May 2026 upon a motion made by motion made by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer. I just want to say thank y'all so much for what you do and I think Denton County does a great job of balancing accountability for your your offenses but also giving people an opportunity for second chances if they go through a very rigorous and a accountable process to make sure that they are staying clean and taking the necessary steps for success.

And so I just really want to thank y'all for what y'all do with those different five treatment courts. They really do help change the lives and make sure that people are getting turning their life around but also being accountable. So anyone else want to add anything?

WILLIAMS

I commend you guys for that. Thank you so much. Thank you.

EADS

Commissioner Mitchell.

MITCHELL

I just echo what the judge says. I mean y'all do a great job. I love to see come and see your work in action and the progress that people have made when they come through these courts and I just want to thank you for the hard work.

I love to hear the stories that they tell about how they came through and I love the fact that you hold them accountable because I think a lot of us will be better off if we are held accountable for our actions. Help us but hold us accountable. Thank you for the job you do and keep up the good work.

I appreciate you. All right.

EADS

Hearing no other comments all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

Motion carries. Let's give him a big hand. Thank you.

All right. Next is item 3b which is approval of a resolution recognizing May the 10th through the 16th 2026 as women's health week and I know we have Dr. Richardson here and Alex Reed and others so Matt do you want to come up and intro this one? Good morning again.

SHEPARD

Good morning judge. Good morning commissioners. I just want the staff to join me.

They don't I don't think they get the recognition that I would really like them to get typically and so if they can join us up and I want to I want to introduce them to you. You may or may not have met them before. Also it's good for me to say all the names out loud and make sure I don't mess it up right so this this has risk.

EADS

I was about to say is this written down Matt? I know you're making me nervous.

SHEPARD

It's not and you should be nervous. You should be nervous. I think I got it.

EADS

Okay you don't have a net. Okay go ahead.

SHEPARD

That's right. So our assistant WIC director Fabiola Venegas. Candace Thompson our outreach professional that works with WIC and our women's health program.

Stephanie Tatalos who started just a few months before I did as our women's health nurse practitioner so she's new on the job. Shannon Ash women's health nurse. Adriana Vidal women's health nurse and Sidney Kidd.

Now we have a new last name but Sidney Kidd our WIC director as well. So I just want to thank them for their hard work both in our women's health program. We do primary care.

We do women's health screenings and family planning to make sure that women can find themselves in good health and that that's important and we we provide these services to the underserved and the uninsured and that matters and I want to thank them for that as you have this proclamation.

EADS

Absolutely. Well thank you for that

SHEPARD

and then I think maybe somebody had something. All right.

EADS

All right good. Come on down.

EADS

Yes ma'am. Good morning.

VENEGAS

Good morning.

EADS

Be sure to speak into that microphone.

VENEGAS

Yes thank you. So I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to be here today and for your support in recognizing the week this week as women's health week in Denton County. This recognition is more than a proclamation. It is the reminder of the critical role that women's health plays in the overall well-being of our families, our communities, and the future. When women are healthy, families are stronger, children are better supported, and communities thrive. So thank you again for your time and your leadership and continued support.

EADS

Perfect. Good. Thank you.

I'll go ahead and read this resolution recognizing May the 10th of the 16th, 2026 as women's health week in Denton County and the Denton County Commissioner's Court, Denton County, Texas during a regular session of the 12th day of May, 2026 considered the following resolution. Whereas women's health week is observed annually to promote the well-being of women and raise awareness on important health topics. Whereas this week is a time to celebrate strength, leadership, and contributions of women throughout Denton County.

Whereas women in Denton Contribute to the vitality of our community in countless ways in supporting their health, strengthens families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Whereas raising awareness of perinatal mental health helps ensure that those who experience pregnancy and postpartum transitions are supported while recognizing that mental health is vital for all community members at every stage of life. Whereas preventative screenings and early detection support women in maintaining their wellness.

And whereas the local WIC program has the honor of serving more than 7,000 women in our community by providing nutritious foods that nourish growing families and support healthy development. And whereas the Denton County Public Health and its partners play a critical role in delivering programs and services that expands women's access to care and promote lifelong health. And now therefore be it resolved the Denton County Commissioner's Court does hereby declare the week of May the 10th through the 16th 2026 as Women's Health Week in Denton County and celebrate the many ways women strengthen our community.

Done an open court this the 12th day of May 2026 upon a motion made by I think Commissioner Mitchell's going to make this motion. A motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Falconer. Well again kudos thank y'all for what you do.

I think every week of the year is Women's Health Week but we want to commemorate it in a special way so we bring attention to the importance of women's health and early detection and also just a healthy lifestyle in general. So anyway thank y'all for what y'all do each and every one of y'all.

MITCHELL

Well from early in the biblical days to now women have been the backbone of this country of this community. And as in the last proclamation we did the program all rise. If one of us rise we just need to reach down and help the next person and we all can rise.

And while we think that women that have has to use our health service may not be as important as the ones that work on jobs and professors and all this, everyone makes up the community. And when we help one person we help the entire community because we cannot make it. There's always someone that's coming up the ladder helping somebody to do something to get to the top.

So I am so excited Dr. Richardson for all that you do to encourage this service our WIC service to help our women and children because women and children will make it a better community. Yes I love you men but we're the ones that's going to get out there and push the children and push everybody to make it work. Y'all just keep bringing the money home to us and we'll keep making it work because that's what we do.

We make everything work in the community. Thank you for all you do.

EADS

I don't know how you're going to follow that if I watch this. Okay all right we have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously.

Thank y'all for what you just give them a big hand.

EADS

All right next before we do items 3c and 3d I'll just say that you know we these two individuals are such partners of Denton County.

You know we we look at economic development and many different ways and the Commissioner's Court works hard to promote economic development so people can actually work here in the county and help people realize their dreams and our Chambers of Commerce across Denton County are core partners of the Commissioner's Court in promoting the vitality of our business community and this morning we're going to honor two members of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce staff that have been partners of Denton County ever since they started working at the chamber and they're very close to Commissioner Mitchell and I as we've served on the chamber board all these years and together and we're honoring them because you know we couldn't do what we do at the county without our partners and we always say that and it's not just a federal or state partners or municipalities but it's our non-profits that partner with us and we've gone through so much together over the years as we work to promote and retain businesses and so we want to honor these two individuals for their service to the Chamber of Commerce and also their partnership here to the county so let's go to item 3C first which is Cindi Howard.

Cindi if you'll come down and then um Lori would you like to I got Lori Walker the President of the Flower Mound Chamber would you like to give an introduction for the two these two items and we'll do them separately but would you like to come do an opening comment as well?

WALKER

Well thank you Judge and Commissioners for honoring two incredible people incredible humans that have been part of the chamber I'm thrilled for them but very sad for our chamber and for our community but Cindi Howard is retiring after 25 years with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and Kelly Heslep after 19 years with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce so the thing the stories that they could tell in our communities but we're just thrilled to honor them today and we wish them the very very best in their future endeavors so thank you Judge for doing this.

EADS

You know many times the Chamber of Commerce were some of the first people that our our businesses meet you know when they're starting and trying to realize their dream I think that's what's great about the chambers is they help people realize that and maximize their dreams and help them come to reality so this is a item 3C approval of a proclamation honoring Cindi Howard for 25 years of service in the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce in any appropriate action and so I'll read this this is a court proclamation honoring Cindi Howard for 25 years of service with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and

whereas the Denton County Commissioners Court pauses to recognize and honor Cindi Howard for her extraordinary 25 years of dedicated service to the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and where Cindi has been a steadfast pillar of the chamber through decades of growth including a pivotal era where she served as the organization's sole employee ensuring the chamber's survival and success through her own sheer determination and hard work and whereas as the visionary leader of the leadership Flower Mound class program Cindi has mentored and shaped the next generation of local civic leaders leaving an indelible mark on the profession on the professional landscape of our county and whereas Cindi has earned the status of legend as a driving force behind Denton County Days in Austin and Washington D.C. Fly-In advocating tirelessly for our region's interest at both the state and national levels

and whereas her welcoming spirit and tireless energy earned her the title of hospitality and coffee queen endeared her as the driving force behind the early morning leads networking and the face of the chamber weekly e-newsletter and whereas beyond her professional achievement Cindi embodies a servant's heart dedicating her time to her family and serving over 100 meals every Wednesday night at her local church and whereas through whereas though she is transitioning into a new chapter in retirement her commitment to the chamber remains evident as she continues to serve as a steadfast force in a part-time capacity to ensure a smooth leadership transition

now therefore be it resolved the Denton County Commissioner's Court does hereby honor Cindi Howard for 25 years of service with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and express our deepest gratitude for her service leadership and unwavering commitment to Denton County done an open court this the 12th day of May 2026 upon a motion by the chair second by Commissioner Mitchell do you want to go first buddy and I'll go ahead

MITCHELL

well I don't know when I didn't know Cindi you know it's just kind of all blends together since Cindi has been there for my entire life in public service I believe her husband works for well he's retiring to Clifford work for the City of Lewisville and so Cindi has just been and you know she's an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce but she's an ambassador for the best the many businesses that works that work with the Chamber of Commerce and it's not always a great job a easy job dealing with all these different personalities that we have but Cindi has managed to manage us to make sure everything goes the way it needs to go and with her leadership Lewisville skills Flower Mound skills she has brought each person in and made them feel important made them feel that they were gaining something as they were from the chamber and had to go out in the community and live in the community and give back to the community Cindi I appreciate you for just being Cindi she never changes she's just always Cindi she tells you the truth tells you what you need to do and tells you you need to follow that information because this is the way it is she has grandkids baby grandkids loves those babies and she's going to go home and play with those babies and enjoy herself I call her a traitor because she's leaving before I'm leaving but I guess a lot of people are traitors aren't they yeah but Cindi I just want to thank you for the job you've done for the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce for the community because it takes someone that's going to work in the chamber to make the businesses want to come back that we have mean ugly people working that's our front door when they come in they're not coming back you make each business feel like they're special and that they're the best person and the best business in the community and that's what it takes to make something work somebody that's going to say you're important come on in thank you

EADS

thank you well Cindi I want to thank you for one is what you've done for our leadership program and when I look at 25 years if you're doing leadership you have helped school and tutor and help raise up you know that's a generation of future leaders here for the county that went on to serve in a variety of capacity capacities such as the Denton County Commissioner's Court and and the local city councils and school boards as you've taken a thoughtful approach to introduce people to civic life you know as they go through the leadership program on behalf of the court I want to thank you for all your efforts on the Denton County days and we've just had record success the last few years with that year over year growing that program partnering with all of our chambers across the county I've been very inclusive about that and taken very much a leadership role as well as the DC fly-in you know that Dr. Burgess started over 20 years ago and the Flower Mound Chamber has led those delegations all those many years up there to learn about our federal partners so as Bobbie said you know being a welcoming face and a warm presence to people and whether businesses are small or large you treated them all the same and with care and compassion whether they're an individual member or a major investor at the chamber you loved all all of them and as they all went through ups and downs you were there as a voice of encouragement so I just want to thank you for bringing that human compassion and your your Christian value system into your daily life so I want to thank you for all that so you want to add

FALCONER

well I I just echo all those and you know you're everywhere so it's going to be I know you'll still be involved in the community but it will be a little strange to not see Cindi everywhere but thank you so much for all that you've done for so many years

WILLIAMS

yes absolutely thank you

EADS

very good all right uh do you want to say anything but before you you do you want to say anything

FALCONER

we always get the last word

EADS

yeah we do get people the last word. hello Cindi Howard

HOWARD

wow judge and commissioners I just want to say thank you for all that you do in Denton County to make our lives easier and more fruitful and all the things that make us help our lives we live and play and raise our children and our families and Denton County is the best county ever yes and I'm grateful to have lived in Denton County for 39 years wow and we've raised our children here and now the next stage of our lives is being grandparents and I'm telling you that will change your life and I love it I love it I wouldn't want to be anywhere else and I'm not going anywhere. I'm I will be as involved as I can be and as involved with people will let me be and I'm just incredibly grateful so thank you all for the kind words

perfect well we love you

HOWARD

thank you

EADS

all right we have a motion a second any other comments all in favor say aye I oppose motion carries unanimous let's give her a hand

Kevin said chamber work can be hard yes it can be it so it's kind of like dog years

FALCONER

that's right

EADS

so okay next let's go to Kelly Heslep. Kelly if you'll come down we want to honor you this is item 3d which is approval of proclamation honoring Kelly Heslep for 19 years of service with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and I want to open up by just saying Kelly you're just such a great asset to the chamber and I'm so glad that you're here and I'm going to make some I'll do some comments at the end but I'm glad that and they're both leaving about the same time so this is a this is a big impact on the chamber and their their absence will be felt and noticed but we're so excited for them on this next phase and this is a court proclamation honoring Kelly Heslep for 19 years of service with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and

whereas the Denton County Commissioner's Court is proud to recognize and honor Kelly Heslep for her remarkable 19 years of dedicated service and creative leadership at the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and whereas Kelly began her journey with the chamber as a devoted volunteer demonstrated a profound commitment to the business community long before joining the professional staff and whereas over nearly two decades she has been the visionary force behind the chamber's most celebrated traditions personally creating and meticulously executing all the fiesta golf and clay shoot events ensuring every detail was amazing and memorable for all the participants and

whereas Kelly's leadership extended to the very walls of the organization where she spearheaded the successful remodel of the new Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce office creating a professional and welcoming home for regional business growth and whereas her ability to inspire others is evidenced by her leadership of the Fiesta Flower Mound Volunteer Committee where she coordinated the talents of local citizens to bring community-wide celebrations to life and was recognized for her innovative spirit Kelly developed special membership retention programs strengthening the chamber's foundation and ensuring that local businesses remain supportive and engaged for years to come and whereas in her well-deserved leisure time Kelly finds joy in her garden in traveling to new destinations and most importantly in cherished time with her beloved grandchildren and

now therefore be resolved the Denton County Commissioners Court does hereby honor Kelly Heslep for 19 years of service with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and express our deepest gratitude for her service leadership an unwavering commitment to Denton County done an open court that's the 12th day of May 2026 upon a motion by the chair.

seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, well Kelly I just want to say your absence will be will be felt and as I read that proclamation as we worked on it last week one of the things that really stuck out to me was that you helped execute wonderful traditions at the chamber with a with the the same care and attention and heart that Lori Walker and Cindi Howard bring to that to the organization that care and concern for the success of the members but so much of what a chamber is about is giving networking opportunities for people to to become friends and and clients develop that relationship among one another and that doesn't just happen that has to happen with lots of thoughtful planning where it's an investment of people's time when they go to the chamber and you made those events something that people wanted to go to something people wanted to invest and sponsor and advertise in and grow their business through your good efforts and that of the team is I just want to thank you for always being that smiling face that welcoming person to the board of directors to the members and the community at large when I think about all the city council members that y'all have dealt with over the years that have come and gone over 25 and 19 years and onboarding those of those officials and explaining the importance of the chamber of commerce to the local success of the community you've just been a great advocate for the chamber and chambers of commerce as a whole so anyway I love both of you like big sisters and appreciate all that y'all have done all these many years did you want to add to that Bobbie

MITCHELL

hi Kelly Kelly is one of the nicest people that you're going to meet yeah and she has a granddaughter that acts just like her Kelly be careful what you volunteer for because you'll find out 19 years later you're still there but at least you get somewhat of a paycheck I want to thank you for the job that you do at the flower mound chamber and yes I call her traitor too because she's leaving and she only has 19 years of service that's it you know could at least give us six more but Kelly I want to thank you for being a face of the chamber all that you do with the chamber your innovative ideas has made the chamber a better place for people for our businesses for our councils as the judge says you have to work with city council members that who don't know who doesn't know how much the chamber benefit they benefit from the chamber so you have to lead them you know hand by hand and let them know that that's what the chamber is all about and how it benefits their businesses and when they find out and when they come into the flower mound chamber of commerce and meet that smiling face all y'all are intended to there they feel like they're welcome and they want to be a part of it this is something that they want to be a part of and you know it's the judge says some of the events like fiesta flower mound with one it's one of the fundraisers that we have and you put your heart and soul into it as well as the the other members but I want to thank you for the job that you do those 19 years that you've been at the chamber thank you for being a welcoming committee of one sometimes to all the citizens and all the businesses that come through that chamber door we appreciate you when we go to the chamber board meeting it's a it's it's it's pleasant to go to the chamber board meetings and see that everything is in order and all we have to go in there do and do our jobs we thank you and as Cindi says y'all are not leaving the community you just you're leaving the chamber for a little while but you do realize that you don't ever get to leave a place if you've worked that long for you always have to come back and always have to do something because we're going to always count on you because people look for people that they know that get the job done.

so you've made that impression in county that you get the job done. so when we need something done Kelly we're still going to be calling on you thank you for being a member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce team for 19 years I appreciate you

EADS

anyone want to say anything

FALCONER

yeah congratulations and it's a job well done

WILLIAMS

absolutely absolutely

EADS

I think it's great one of your lasting uh parting gifts was the leading the efforts on the remodel and relocation of the offices you know that was just that was a lasting embodiment of all your attention to detail and design efforts I just want to thank you for that as well so do you want to have do you want to make any closing comments Kelly

HESLOP

well I just want to say thank you uh Denton County is my home I went to Lewisville High School and I've got everyone here that I can get to come yes a daughter and grandkids and I'm working on the other one but thank you thank you for being friends and wonderful cheerleaders

EADS

we could not I've looked back on COVID and our business grant program that we did and so many outreach we did to sustain the business community we couldn't do those kind of things and some of our government affairs opportunities without the chambers of commerce anyway y'all were there through all of that so thank you so much so all right we have motion to second any other comments all in favor say aye any opposed the motion carries your name let's give them a big hand

well after 19 and 25 years of partnering with us that's it important to take time to honor some of our partners all right let's go to item 8b and item 8b is approval of the district attorney's office request for a standing authorization from the court to post and fill a Bar Card Intern position when a Misdemeanor Prosecutor II vacancy occurs and we do have uh Jamie Beck here from our district attorney's office if anyone had any questions and go right ahead miss Beck

BECK

thank you good morning thank you for allowing me to be here on behalf of the district attorney and the district attorney's office I want to make sure that you understand we're not asking for a position this court granted this position or positions I think about two years ago this is really a clarification on what this position is and how we want to utilize it going forward it's a recruiting tool we're having a difficult time here in Denton County and across the state and actually the nation recruiting misdemeanor entry-level prosecutors they want to go work for the big firms and work from home and all that kind of stuff so this allows us to get students who've just graduated and have taken the bar exam but have not yet gotten their results. the bar exam is offered twice a year in Texas it's offered in February and July.

and then it takes about three months for them to get the results whether they passed or failed. this bar card internship allows us to hire them at a reduced salary than a full attorney position right after they take the bar and then they can intern with us for three months while they're waiting on those results. and if they pass we can slide them right into a vacancy that we have. and what that means is we would not utilize this position unless we had a misdemeanor to entry-level vacancy. and for every vacancy we did have we would like to hire that many bar card interns. we just recently had a bar card intern who took the bar in February she got a result she slid right into being a licensed attorney for us. so this it's a standing authorization to allow us to do this going forward for any number of vacancies we have. Currently, we have two.

so when those students take the July bar, and they wait on the results for the end of October, we can go ahead and hire them at the internship pay uh while they're waiting on those results. I hope that makes sense and clarifies what we're asking for

EADS

good sense

WILLIAMS

move to approve

EADS

that's a great idea second we have a motion by Commissioner Williams second by Commissioner Falconer. Jamie thank you for being here I think that it's you know it's a it's important uh way to onboard people into the office you know and and so I think it's a it's it's a good use of time and energy did you have anything to add commissioner?

MITCHELL

thank y'all

FALCONER

I do have a quick question for Jamie so do they they have to have already taken the bar

BECK

yes okay to start this is a paid internship we do internships that are unpaid for law school students. but this is for graduates who have taken the bar as soon as they take it because they need to be studying and not interning up until that point. once they've taken it they can come work for us at a reduced pay, and then if they pass we can slide them right into that vacancy that we have.

FALCONER

okay.

SPEAKER

and if they fail unfortunately that means the end of the internship.

WILLIAMS

womp womp

FALCONER

I just asked because I had one of my friend's daughter who is uh going to work in Collin County

UNKNOWN

womp womp

FALCONER

and but but she's starting immediately after graduation and taking the bar in July and then so it's the same thing but she's starting right after

WILLIAMS

she hasn’t taken the test. She hasn’t taken the bar exam yet

FALCONER

she's planning to but it's so that it gives her that timing

BECK

we we bring in interns in that capacity just unpaid I think um and yes all the all the counties are jockeying for these graduates

FALCONER

yes

BECK

because it is a statewide and even nationwide issue the DOJ just just came out with a $25,000 signing bonus for new new entry-level prosecutors

MITCHELL

that's great wow

EADS

that's very good

WILLIAMS

do you mind uh introducing the wonderful woman that's with you today

BECK

I'd be honored to she's got

WILLIAMS

a new promotion

BECK

I would be honored to so uh let me first say that our current director of administration Kim Gertler is retiring after 28 years um and she will Friday is her last day it's her 20th stint back with the county this time so we're really really deeply going to miss miss Gertler but um here with me today to watch me embarrass myself is our our soon to be new as of Monday director of administration Andy Fletcher yes hi Andy and Andy asked if she could come come watch me uh

WILLIAMS

absolutely

BECK

explain this position and and and learn more about um

FALCONER

this courtroom

BECK

this courtroom and what y'all done to help us in this recruitment tool

EADS

thank you well congratulations congratulations that's big shoes to fill with Kim and uh yeah she's she's a great great member of the Denton County family all right any more questions for Miss Beck. all right we have a motion to second all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. thank you so much

BECK

thank you guys so much

EADS

all right okay let's go back to item two which is our consent agenda there's no items on number 2a but we do have items 2b which is uh so but we have a motion for approval as presented motion by commissioner Mitchell second by commissioner Falconer any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimous our consent agenda today consists of item 2a which is order making appointments and there's no none of those today we go item 2b which is approval of budget amendment request #2026-210 for facilities management to transfer $57,347 from various buildings building services landscape expenses to facilities management landscape expenses to consolidate landscape expenses for all county buildings to improve operational efficiency.

item 2c is approval of budget amendment request #2026-278 for facilities management to transfer $40,000 from hvac supplies to county building repair and maintenance to ensure adequate funding is available for routine maintenance and necessary repairs across all county facilities allowing operations to continue without interruption.

item 2d is approval of budget amendment request #2026-280 for facilities management to transfer $70,000 from hvac supplies to service contracts to provide additional funding for service contracts supporting exterior lighting inspections and repairs the fire extinguisher inspections and other necessary maintenance contracts and any appropriate action next is item 5a 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 good morning

MAY

good morning um i have no changes today recommend approval is presented

SPEAKER

okay perfect thank you sir. we have a motion by commissioner falconer second by commissioner mitchell any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. next is item 6a approval of the report on proceeds from the former sally beauty storage units online surplus auction #26-2909 held in april 2026 with motion by commissioner williams second by commissioner falconer all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. next is 6b approval of special specifications and authority to advertise for ITB #26-2916 turn lane improvements at US377 at Fishtrap and Liberty. 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 of disposal of miscellaneous surplus for storage units at 520 blake street denton texas 76208 in compliance with §263.152(a)(3) of the local government code for disposition of surplus property motion by commissioner falconer second by commissioner mitchell any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. next is 6d approval of rejection of all bids for ITB #26-2905 surface treatment aggregate grade 4 type L motion by commissioner williams second by commissioner mitchell any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. i respectfully pull item 6e to discuss at a future meeting. we'll do 6e later. 7a is a report for miscellaneous equipment and software services presented for recording purposes only. do we have any comments related to that? okay we'll move forward.

next to go to 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 clerk. one new hire in adult probation. one new hire in juvenile probation. one rehire in the sheriff's office. and one new hire in the sheriff's office to the two of the two of them are detention officer ones

EADS

perfect good thank you next let's go to item 9a which is approval of the department of state health services hiv clinical hiv sti prevention amendment no. 2 for funding the amount of $150,000 from September 1 2026 through august the 31st 2027 motion by commissioner Mitchell second by commissioner falconer any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. next is item 10a approval of the request to hold a public hearing on June the 2nd 2026 at 9 a.m to remove development related fees from the subdivision rules and regulations and place them in a standalone fee schedule the chair move for approval second by commissioner Williams any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously.

all right next is go to item 10b approval of the request to hold a public hearing on June the 9th 2026 at 9 a.m for the replat of the Mitchell Homesteads lots 1 and 2 block 1 this is 2.568 acres located in commissioner precinct 4. motion by commissioner Mitchell second by commissioner Williams. any discussion any relation to you? let's say she's building home building business all right she's moved enough recently so all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously next is 10c approval the final acceptance of the hilltop road reconstruction project the chair will move for approval second by commissioner williams any discussion? all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously.

next item 10d approval of a notice to relocate for the Jackson Road Segment 1 Improvements Project in Precinct 4 motion by commissioner Williams second by commissioner falconer any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. next is 13a approval a new Verizon data plan service for public facilities Texas water technologies LLC in the amount of $350.00/year motion by commissioner falconer second by commissioner Williams. any discussion? all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously.

next is 14a approve the inter-local cooperation agreement between Denton county Texas and the north Texas groundwater conservation district regarding review of groundwater availability certifications submitted with plat applications for subdivided properties in the unincorporated areas of Denton county motion by commissioner mitchell second by commissioner falconer any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously.

next is 14b approve the interlocal cooperation agreement between Denton county texas and the city of Sanger Texas for the purpose of providing surface milling, road base stabilization, cross culvert replacement and asphalt resurfacing to a portion of metz road beginning at fm 455 and ending at Denton county line which will include 750 feet of paving improvements with the city of Sanger motion by commissioner williams second by commissioner falconer any discussion all in favor say aye any opposed motion carries unanimously. Bianca did i get everything? okay let's next proceed to item 17 which is community updates we'll start with commissioner precinct 1

WILLIAMS

thank you judge congratulations to the Sanger baseball team they are headed to the regional semi-finals for the first time in over 40 years that's a pretty big feat so good luck to them for the Denton high bronco barbecue team; the team is headed to the national championships of barbecue after the gold and purple teams finish 10th and 14th at the Texas state competition best of luck at the nationals which will be held in your backyard at the Grandscapes oh good the colony yeah June 7th to the 10th yeah there'll be a lot of them yeah that's pretty impressive actually in the state of Texas to be anywhere in the top 10 i would think would be pretty impressive yeah it would be um and then uh congratulations to all the graduates of 2026 we have a lot of graduating going on right now and so uh watch out late at night some of them may be partying a little too much. let's hope they all are safe.

and then uh two other things i apologize for missing yesterday's um ceremony for our our lost law enforcement that's a huge deal in our sheriff's department and the county do a really nice job putting that on and it saw the pictures it was it was wonderful looking so and then the last thing i've got is uh

EADS

and paul did a great job of this speech yesterday thank you

FALCONER

for the keynote

WILLIAMS

okay well

EADS

someone called me last night and was telling me is that did did you he did such a good job did you hear all those points i said oh yeah very good it was very good so it's spot on so thank you

WILLIAMS

paul's great uh we're very fortunate to have him he works in jared's office

EADS

part of the family

WILLIAMS

representative and and uh he was with us last night at a meeting and so uh the the relationship is is really strong and i greatly appreciate that so last but not least uh i want to welcome uh preston sloan today he's in here with us today it's his first time making commissioner's court and a young man that wants to get more involved in politics and we always can appreciate that there's not enough young folks that do it so thank you for being here today and that's all i've got judge

EADS

perfect thank you commissioner falconer

FALCONER

all right well there's a few things going on precinct two i want to shout out to the city of Carrollton they uh just won the 2026 municipal traffic safety initiatives trailblazer award and that was presented at the Texas municipal courts education center in April. congratulations to Carrollton. and then we've got a few events going on Cross Roads has their community market 16th from 8 to noon and that is at 2042 fm 424 Denton has their community market on the 16th also 9 to 1 that's at 317 west mulberry street and then shady shores they were uh it has the shore to shore operation shore to shore which is kind of cleaning up and everything along the shoreline of lake Lewisville i think that actually is happening at many of the um lakeside communities so this Saturday go out and help kind of clean up a little bit a little elm and others are doing it as well so

EADS

perfect commissioner Mitchell

MITCHELL

yes judge i have friday night flicks in Corinth on may 15th at agora parkway also we have cones with cops in Corinth and on may 16th in Lewisville i want to congratulate the city of Lewisville for winning the 2025 and many cities do that tree city uh also i want to congratulate some stem students from flower mound Mary Kay hosted an event for them and they're going to put their robot designs to to test at the first tech challenge world championship a four-day robotic competition in Houston also in the sounds of Lewisville may 12 7 p.m at 9 30 at wayne ferguson plaza state benefit assistant would turn area food bank may 13 at the Lewisville library we have barbecue and bluegrass fundraise on may 16th at LLELA in Lewisville we also have the thrive nature walk on may 17th at valley Thrive Nature Park in lewisville that's all i have judge

EADS

perfect thank you so much and i just want to give a denton county shout out to a couple of our 4-h scholars addison and carson johnson were recently named texas 4-h scholars they each received a 20 000 scholarship from the houston livestock show and rotary so we wish them all the best in their future endeavors so congratulations to them on that award.

So, let's just go to executive session which is item 15a texas government code §551.071(1)(A) consultation with attorney in a closed meeting when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about pending litigation and cause no. 141-377-160-26 style denton county style county of denton texas versus victoria johnson et al. currently pending in the 141st judicial district court of tarrant county texas and item 15b is texas government code §551.072 deliberation regarding real property close me and deliberate the purchase exchange lease or value of real property if deliberation open media would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person and it is 10:03 and we are in executive session thank you

EADS

all right we have reconvened from a executive session there'll be no action related item 15a there'll be no action there'll be no action related to 15b either so hearing no other action before the court we don't have any other action uh we are adjourned thank you