The Hill County Commissioners Court approved the operating guidelines for the county’s newly formed Animal Advisory Board during a regular meeting held Tuesday, January 13.
Commissioners approved the creation of the board in December after concerned citizens presented the idea. The board will not be able to spend county funds, but it will identify problems and possible solutions to present to the court.
The court order states that the board will be strictly advisory with the sole purpose of studying and providing non-binding recommendations for animal-related matters in the county.
The board membership will include one licensed veterinarian, one county or municipal official, one representative whose duties include animal shelter operations and one representative of an animal welfare organization. The court may also appoint additional members.
Members will serve two-year terms, and the board must meet at least four times per year. The board will also provide an annual report to commissioners about the issues reviewed, recommendations and findings.
Applications will be accepted for board members, and they must pass a background check.
County Auditor Susan Swilling introduced Assistant County Auditor Amy Peavy, who is preparing to take Swilling’s place. Swilling announced her retirement in 2022 but returned to the position following issues that arose during her replacement’s time with the county. She has been serving as interim auditor since 2024.
Swilling said that Peavy has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and over 20 years of accounting experience. She also has experience handling grant requirements and spent the past five years working in community services in Corsicana. Peavy received her Bachelor’s degree at Tarleton State University and her Master’s degree at Texas A&M University – Central Texas.
The court also approved District Judge Justin Lewis’ order setting the assistant auditor’s salary.
Commissioners heard a presentation from TXU regarding the county’s energy contract, which expires in June. The county signed the last contract in 2020 at 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The TXU representative said that power prices have risen dramatically since that time, due in part to population growth in the state, supply and demand issues with the grid and increases in data centers, bitcoin operations and other development.
Renewal options ranging from 12 to 84 months were presented to the county for review, with costs ranging from 6.5 to 6.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. If the county renewed for a 36-month term, its electricity cost could be expected to rise approximately $62,000 per year. The court will review options and make a decision at a future meeting.
Commissioners accepted a donation made to the sheriff’s office by Hill County Emergency Services District (ESD) 2. The district provided six automated external defibrillators and over 25 trauma kits that deputies can use when they encounter a medical emergency.
The donation, which is valued at over $15,000, will allow each patrol unit and administrative vehicle to be equipped with the lifesaving equipment.
The court reviewed a request from the sheriff’s office to approve an operations lieutenant position for the sheriff’s new Crime Reduction Unit. The county previously approved positions and funding for the new unit, which will address high-risk and narcotic-related issues in the county. The lieutenant will oversee the unit.
While the court was in favor of the position, Swilling requested that the matter be tabled to allow further review of Senate Bill 22 guidelines, as the sheriff’s office intends to use SB 22 funds for the program.
In another agenda item related to the sheriff’s office, the court approved an amended contract with Vested Networks for the department’s telephone system. The contract was changed to specify the correct amount of phone lines needed.
Commissioners set a public hearing for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 10 on a proposal to implement a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit from the end of the pavement on Farm Road 3050 to 191 HCR 1212.
The court approved a contract with Trinity Valley Building Center for demolition of the old Precinct 3 Road and Bridge Department barn in Bynum.
The court approved several requests from the Juvenile Probation Department, including a toll tag account that will be used as youth are transferred to facilities, the department’s annual application for truancy prevention program grant funds and various contracts and interagency agreements that allow for the detention and treatment of juvenile offenders.
Commissioners observed and recorded agreements between Hill County Elections Administration and the Hill County Republican and Democratic parties for the March primary elections.
In other action, the court declared end-of-life information technology equipment as salvage/surplus equipment to be recycled and declared damaged culverts waste to be recycled. A mutual-aid agreement was approved with the Department of Public Safety outlining joint response to complex emergencies by DPS and Hill County law enforcement, and an agreement was approved that will allow Hubbard Police Department to utilize the county’s public safety radio system.
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