The federal lawsuit filed against Hill County over its now-rescinded data center moratorium remains pending, County Attorney David Holmes said at a Hill County Commissioners Court meeting last week.
Following an executive session during the Tuesday, June 9 meeting, Holmes told those in attendance that county officials had hoped rescinding the moratorium would lead to a quick dismissal of the lawsuit filed by RCM Hill LLC. However, he said the company has not indicated that it plans to drop its legal challenge.
The lawsuit stems from a one-year moratorium approved by commissioners in May that temporarily halted new data center development in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners rescinded the moratorium June 4 amid concerns about the county’s legal authority to enforce it and after RCM Hill filed suit in federal court.
The company is suing the county, County Judge Shane Brassell and commissioners Jim Holcomb and Larry Crumpton. RCM Hill claims that the county exceeded its authority and interfered with the company’s ability to move forward with its project after a significant investment of time and money.
The plaintiff says that the moratorium could expose the county to more than $100 million in potential liability.
In other agenda items, the court observed the county’s “Zero Lost Time Award” from the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) workers’ compensation program. For 2025, the county had no lost-time claims resulting from accidents.
County Treasurer Rachel Parker said that the award reflects the commitment and teamwork of the county’s departments and employees in maintaining safe workplaces.
The court also observed and recorded District Judge Justin Lewis’ appointment of Amy Peavy as county auditor and Susan Swilling as assistant county auditor. Swilling, the county’s longtime auditor, will remain as an assistant to help Peavy through the upcoming county budget process.
Commissioners accepted a donation from 3W Solar in the amount of $50,000 to assist with improvements and maintenance of HCR 1330 in Precinct 2.
Commissioner Larry Crumpton said that the donation is part of the company’s road use agreement with the county. Commissioner Jim Holcomb added that even though he voted against the abatement agreement, the company has done a good job with the roads and also upgraded HCR 1337.
The court renewed the county’s annual interlocal agreement with the City of Bynum. Under the agreement, the county maintains a portion of roadway that begins as a county road and continues into the city limits. In return, the city provides water at the county’s facility in the area.
There were no comments during a public hearing on a proposal to implement at 35 mile-per-hour speed limit on HCR 3369 in Precinct 3, and the court approved the speed limit.
Commissioners approved purchases that the sheriff’s office intends to make with Senate Bill 22 funds, including the purchase of four Ford F-150 trucks and the replacement of handguns.
In another agenda item related to the sheriff’s office, the court approved a resolution as required for the department to receive an $80,000 grant from the Sheriff lmmigration Law Enforcement Grant Program through Senate Bill 8.
The sheriff’s office is eligible for the funding, which can be used for jail improvements, due to its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and participation in the ICE Warrant Service Officer Program.
The resolution states that the county agrees not to reduce its annual budget for the sheriff’s office in response to the department receiving the grant.
Commissioners reviewed renewal of Tidal Wave car wash subscription plans across various county departments. County Judge Shane Brassell expressed a desire to combine the plans into one contract with everyone receiving the same plan tier as decided by the commissioners court. Currently, offices have their own contracts at their own selected tier.
In the meantime, contracts were approved on a month-to-month basis, with the issue to be discussed at budget time.
In other action, the court observed and recorded the annual Hill County Emergency Services District (ESD) 2 audit and canceled waste services with Republic Services at the Huron Annex after saving $462.57 per month by switching to Frontier Waste Solutions.
The court’s next regular meeting date will be at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in the Hill County Courtroom of the courthouse.
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