* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:03] GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE. I'M GONNA CALL OUR REGULAR COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING TO ORDER. IT IS DECEMBER 23RD, 9:00 AM GONNA ASK COMMISSIONER STACY [A) INVOCATION; John Stacy] TO LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION. THEN I'LL LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGES. PLEASE STAND AS YOU'RE ABLE. ALL RIGHT. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE'RE SO THANKFUL THIS TIME OF YEAR FOR A HOLIDAY SEASON FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, TO REDEEM THE WORLD BACK TO YOU. PLEASE BE WITH ALL THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELING FOR ALL THOSE WHO CANNOT TRAVEL, AND OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE STATIONED ALL OVER THE GLOBE. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT COUNTY THAT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AND BE WITH US DURING ALL THE DELIBERATIONS AS WE DO THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY. BE WITH ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES THAT SERVE AND PROTECT US EACH DAY. IT'S IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. AMEN. JOIN ME AS WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. 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. NOW, THE TEXAS FLAG, HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THAT BRINGS [a. Recognition of Jennifer Fogg, Rockwall County Clerk, she was recognized by the State ofTexas for her role in the development and passage of Senate Bills 647, 693, and 1734 of the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session and Senate Bill 16, of the 89th Texas legislature, Second Session. She was also presented with a framed bill presented to the County Clerk's Office from Senator West.] US TO RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS, WHICH IS A VERY EXCITING, HAPPY TIME. WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA RECOGNITION OF JENNIFER FOG, ROCKWALL COUNTY CLERK. SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR HER ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 6 47, 6 93, AND 1734 OF THE 89TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SENATE BILL 16 OF THE 89TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SECOND SESSION. SHE WAS ALSO PRESENTED WITH THE FRAMED BILL PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FROM SENATOR WEST. AND I GOTTA SAY, BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO YOU, THESE BILLS ARE NOT THE SUM TOTAL OF YOUR WORK, UH, AT THE LEGISLATURE. YOU DO A TREMENDOUS JOB ADVOCATING FOR CITIZENS, UH, IN YOUR MULTIPLE ROLES AS A COUNTY CLERK, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. SO, MS. JENNIFER FOG, TAKE IT AWAY. THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. AND I, I DO WANNA START OFF BY SAYING THAT I COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT A SUPPORTIVE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. AND I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL FOR CONTRIBUTING TO MY SUCCESS WITH THIS AS WELL. I DO, UM, HAVE SOME OF MY TEAM HERE THAT, UM, I COULD NOT HAVE DONE WHAT I DO WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT. THEY HOLD THE FORT DOWN, AND THIS IS ONLY A PORTION OF MY OFFICE, UM, AND THE CONTRIBUTORS TO MY SUCCESS, UM, WHICH IS THE SUCCESS OF THE COUNTY AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. UM, THE FRAMED BILL, WHICH I AM VERY PROUD OF, UM, THIS IS SENATE BILL 16, AND SENATE BILL 16 IS ONE OF MY MANY FAVORITES. UM, BECAUSE THIS, THIS BILL ACTUALLY, UM, HELPS STATISTICALLY AS FAR AS CREATING SPECIFIC OFFENSES RELATED TO PROPERTY FRAUD AND PROPERTY THEFT. SO THIS IS GONNA GR BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ACTUALLY TRACK, UM, BETTER TRACK THE PROPERTY FRAUD AND PROPERTY THEFT, UM, AS WELL AS ALLOWING ALL 254 COUNTY CLERKS TO CROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS TO REQUIRE ID WHEN SOMEBODY PRESENTS PROPERTY DOCUMENTS OVER THE COUNTER. AND SO THAT IS NOT ALL THESE ARE LIMITED TO, BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT COULD BE ANOTHER CONVERSATION OFF, UM, OFF THE RECORD, UM, AS FAR AS WHAT THE BILLS CONTAINED. BUT I, I DO REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I APPRECIATE, UM, MY STAFF BECAUSE IT TAKES A VILLAGE, AND I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JENNIFER FOG. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MA'AM. THANK YOU. AND TO THE STAFF AS WELL. UM, WELL DONE, WELL DONE. ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS [1. PUBLIC FORUM: (This is the public's opportunity to address the Commissioners Court about County matters. During this meeting, the Commissioners Court will not discuss, consider or take action on any item not included on this meeting's agenda. We respectfully ask that anyone stepping forward to speak during the Public Forum to please limit remarks to three minutes or less.)] US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE. PUBLIC FORUM IS PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS COMMISSIONER'S COURT ABOUT ANY COUNTY MATTERS. UH, WE HAVE ONE PERSON THAT'S SIGNED UP, MR. JAMES BRANCH. THE MICROPHONE IS YOURS FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES, SIR. ONLY THREE. ONLY THREE. I DON'T THINK I'LL TAKE THAT LONG. JUDGE JAMES BRANCH, CITY COUNCIL ROYCE CITY. UM, NORMALLY WHEN I COME AND SPEAK, I'M, IT'S USUALLY A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT CONVERSATION, BUT TODAY I COME BEFORE YOU TO JUST SIMPLY SAY, THANKS. UM, MR. LYNCH, THANK YOU. I NOTICED ON THE AGENDA THE ELECTIONS, AND I ALSO NOTICED IN THE PACKET THAT, UH, ROYCE CITY IS INCLUDED. SO THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY. UM, YOU GUYS KNOW HOW, YOU KNOW, PASSIONATE. I AM ABOUT VOTING. SO TODAY I JUST SAY THANKS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS [00:05:01] AND HAVE A GOOD NEW YEAR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. MERRY CHRISTMAS. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COURT? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER [2. Discuss/ Act on updates and progress related to the Courthouse Courtroom additions 3rd floor project, and all related issues; (Commissioner GaIlana)] TWO, DISCUSS AND ACT ON UPDATES AND PROGRESS RELATED TO THE COURTHOUSE COURTROOM EDITIONS, THIRD FLOOR PROJECTS AND RELATED ISSUES. COMMISSIONER GOANA. WELL, WE ARE, UH, NEARING THE END. UH, FINALLY HERE. WE, UH, DO HAVE A BIT OF A, UH, DELAY WITH FURNITURE. IT LOOKS LIKE. AGAIN, IT'S ALWAYS THE FURNITURE, GUYS. IT'S NEVER ANYTHING THAT'S, UH, CONSTRUCTION RELATED IT SEEMS LIKE. SO FURNITURE GOT PUSHED BACK INTO LIKE THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY NOW. SO THAT IS, UM, HOPEFULLY THE LAST DELAY, UH, THAT WE HAVE WITH THAT TO GET OPEN. UM, BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO OPERATE, UM, SOMEWHAT UP THERE WITHOUT SOME OF THE FURNITURE. WE HAVE LOTS OF EXTRA STUFF LAYING AROUND TO GET, FOR INSTANCE, JUDGE WHEELER KIND OF ROCKING AND ROLLING WITH, WITH SOME FURNITURE UNTIL IT COMES IN. BUT WE GOT A PLAN, BUT IT'S JUST, UH, THAT'S THE ONLY DELAY WE HAVE. OTHER THAN THAT, WE'RE, WE'RE RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. ALL RIGHT, SO NORMALLY I WOULD SAY, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SO RIGHT NOW I'M GONNA SAY, JOHN STA DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, ? NO. UM, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH LAST WEEK TO HAVE PARK HILL MEETING AT THE COURTHOUSE, AND SO I ASKED PARK HILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS, SO I GOT ALL MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND HE BASICALLY SUMMARIZED 'EM PRETTY CL PRETTY SUCCINCTLY. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GOANA. UH, THIS WILL TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM [3. Discuss/ Act on approving the agreement with US Imaging, Inc., for the preservation of historical County Clerk records on microfilm, to be funded by the County Clerk's Archive Funds, and all related issues; (Judge New - County Clerk)] THREE, DISCUSS AND ACT ON APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH US IMAGING INC. FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL COUNTY CLERK RECORDS ON MICROFILM TO BE FUNDED BY THE COUNTY CLERK'S ARCHIVE FUND, AND ALL RELATED ISSUES, UH, WAS KIND OF APPROPRIATE AFTER OUR COUNTY CLERK RECEIVED AN AWARD AND RE RECOMMENDATIONS AND, AND RECOGNITION, UH, THAT WE HAVE AN ITEM HERE WHERE SHE'S USING HER FEES AND HER FUNDS TO, TO, UM, UH, TO TAKE CARE OF SOME PRESERVATION, AND IT DOESN'T COST OUR TAXPAYERS, UH, ANY TAX DOLLARS. SO IT'S VERY, VERY EXCITING. UM, COUNTY CLERK FOG DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB OF, OF USING THOSE, UH, FUNDS VERY WISELY. SO, UH, DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION JUDGE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH US IMAGING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC COUNTY CLERK RECORDS ON MICROFILM. GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STACY SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GOANA, IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES. NOW IT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. THIS BRINGS US [4. Discuss/ Act on Early Voting and Election Day location for the 2026 Primary Election; and all related issues; (Elections Administrator)] TO AGENDA ITEM FOUR, DISCUSS AN ACT ON EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY LOCATION FOR THE 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION AND ALL RELATED ISSUES. MR. LYNCH. HEY, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. UM, HEY, YOU'VE, YOU'VE GOT IT IN YOUR BACKUP FILE. PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD, UH, FIVE LOCATIONS DURING EARLY VOTING, UH, 14 ON ELECTION DAY. AND THEN, UH, WE'VE GOT SOME THINGS WE JUST NEED TO SORT OUT WITH THE PARTY CHAIRS, UH, CONTRACT LANGUAGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. BUT WE'LL, WE'LL GET THERE. SO, ALL GOOD? ALL GOOD. ALL RIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, UH, EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY LOCATIONS FOR THE 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION AS PRESENTED. I'LL SECOND GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALANA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STACEY, IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES, IT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. UH, THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM FIVE, [5. CONSENT AGENDA] CONSENT AGENDA. JUDGE, I MAKE A MOTION. WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STACEY SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GOANA. IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES. LET ME REGISTER MINE. THAT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. THAT BRINGS US [6. PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS/DISPOSITIONS] TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX, PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS DISPOSITIONS. I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS A THROUGH G. I'LL SECOND GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GOANA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER. STACY, IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES, PLEASE, THAT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM [7. NON-EMERGENCY BUDGET TRANSFER(S)] SEVEN, NON-EMERGENCY BUDGET TRANSFERS. MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE NON-EMERGENCY BUDGET TRANSFER A. GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GUANO SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER. STACY, YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES. THAT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. THAT BRINGS US [9. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS, BILLS, CLAIMS, AND PAYROLL(S)] TO AGENDA ITEM EIGHT, APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS, BILLS, CLAIMS AND PAYROLL. A THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS SUBMITTING PAID CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,338 AND 77 CENTS AND ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL. SO MOVED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YOLANA SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STACEY, IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES THAT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. WE'RE ALSO SUBMITTING UNPAID CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,211,979 [00:10:06] AND 67 CENTS. AND WE ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL. MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GOANA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER. STACY, IF YOU'LL REGISTER YOUR VOTES, IT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. AND LASTLY, WE HAVE THE PAYROLL REPORT FOR THE PAY PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 6TH, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,244,346 AND 2 CENTS. SO MOVED. GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GOANA. SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STACY, IT PASSES THREE TO ZERO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT BRINGS US, WE'RE GONNA GO RIGHT AROUND EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THAT BRINGS [12. COMMISSIONERS COURT REPORTS] US TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, COMMISSIONER COURT REPORTS. I JUST SIMPLY WANNA SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND, UH, LET'S MAKE IT A GREAT YEAR NEXT YEAR. WONDERFUL. COMMISSIONER GALANA, WELL ECHO THAT. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND HOPE YOU HAVE A, A WONDERFUL NEXT FEW DAYS AND HOPE YOU SPEND IT WITH THOSE YOU LOVE. MAN, I ECHO BOTH OF THOSE. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. NEXT YEAR'S GONNA BE GREAT. I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT AT NINE 10. WE'RE ADJOURNED. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.