[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6667484,"mediaKeyId","2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7","parentId",2259788,"title","Kaufman County commissioners approve routine consent items, election contract and sheriff equipment; auditors flag a dam reimbursement issue","audioSeconds",924,"startMs",66000,"endMs",990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7&start=66&end=990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7/thumbnail_66000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6667484/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-commissioners-approve-routine-consent-items-election-contract-and-sheriff-equipment-auditors-flag-a-dam-reimbursement-issue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667484-989cf50a4f30889f94718b406eab1d27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201889&Signature=b3l2~E4ZhwnT5Ass~wa5mcjpFqTvhXF3E3Hnq-amDJOU42LfXyFl-JtQJWGHBeOJC7P0iWb3qjM9K~6CsXoZykOck-ZmCXtZUvn~cw20B-jNgRG3IN-KLCXPcm-hTyOc-MC3qxnm~HQ2IY9XO-PN7Wleawas~xAnXeVYW01ue9dfOR2Qvg6d1cQhREUItUrT1O4drkGGvrpZh~-cbUYZlvCXKqSvmyFrtGBznUfPWX-~CLCc~xb1BSYsa~klSzDlSD2WdyqHEB0Zl4J3jo9mskc1wLmUHhFX2P-TIEpMcJpijWKwW9FPaQdm~fDDYuIbf1Gbf4IcdZD6nGh5QtAwvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kaufman","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Kaufman County commissioners completed a series of routine and contract approvals at their Feb. 11 meeting and recorded a separate auditor report raising a reimbursement issue for a dam project.

Key votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: The court approved the minutes of the February commissioners’ court meeting and accepted the Star Transit ridership report for Jan. 25. (Motion moved by Commissioner Phillips; second by Mister Crow; voice vote.)

- Employee cybersecurity training: The court approved enrollment of county employees in a mandatory annual cybersecurity course administered by TAC. (Motion moved by Commissioner Lane; second by Commissioner Boyle; voice vote.)

- Board reappointments: Jonathan Leyva and Mark Gray were reappointed to SD No. 5 for two‑year terms; paperwork and oath were completed. (Motion moved by Commissioner Moore; second recorded as Commissioner Boyle; voice vote.)

- Joint purchasing interlocal with City of Kemp: The court approved an interlocal agreement to allow the city to use county pricing for materials. (Motion moved by Commissioner Moore; second by Commissioner Boyle; voice vote.)

- Sheriff equipment donation: The court accepted a donation from the North Central Texas Council of Governments of 18 police ballistic shields with an estimated value of about $4,000. (Motion moved by Commissioner Lane; second recorded; voice vote.)

- Joint election contract for May 3, 2025: The court approved the joint election contract under Chapter 271 of the Texas Election Code to provide election services for approximately 32 entities. The election administrator noted the contract includes a minimum cost share for entities participating in the joint election; exhibits A–G will be updated as precinct early‑voting locations are finalized. (Motion moved by Commissioner Ford; second by Commissioner Phillips; voice vote.)

- Routine line‑item transfers and claims for payment: The court approved two routine budget transfers and accounts payable invoices totaling $1,296,512.50, largely for road bond expenditures and quarterly state fees. (Motions moved and seconded; voice votes.)

Auditor note: Separately, the county auditor reported a federal reimbursement shortfall for a dam project and asked for direction; the court agreed to hold a disputed payment while staff seeks clarification from state and federal contacts. See separate article for details.

Process notes: Most votes were taken by voice with commissioners saying “aye” and the chair announcing motions carried. Where the transcript records specific movers and seconders they are noted above; the transcript often recorded only voice approvals without a roll‑call tally.

Ending: The court adjourned after approving the listed items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kaufman - Commissioners Court - Feb 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kaufman County commissioners completed a series of routine and contract approvals at their Feb. 11 meeting and recorded a separate auditor report raising a reimbursement issue for a dam project.","taxTitle","Kaufman County, Texas","taxId",20433,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6667490,"Commissioners approve Kaufman County Farmers Market, community garden at Historic Poor Farm",145,265000,410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7&start=265&end=410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7/thumbnail_265000.jpg","/articles/6667490/Kaufman-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-Kaufman-County-Farmers-Market-community-garden-at-Historic-Poor-Farm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667490-747851d32a31b289228ab4ed00a6e451/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201889&Signature=LZGEYsuUxR5HY1QqpTCX78SK5195pXwWbb9azaeJ6DKvw0j~zK-anJ5faFBDXSmcoST8P5MIEelMVaJJR3S7TPwiHkozy7aHE-rDImbswiQMNJROfovzRr1j8cSKjZxUOl5ayAq0wdsE-~CCtN9L-LkNAubjpfP3SjD6NU192VsjSz9Rsf3Kd4UbT-lg0zulnw58cYebAUj28nrUJiuDJl~MlAoLbMGuK7~zeTueXtxJwwvyUy6aFLV0rw3lKrBWxt9nVhj1dvyRUxlMAd7gUIz3K5R~IBy3SLyrubtzK6zxvsbBRB~eMYrNasVKJrfPbBBmVqBU1ft2lTLg8vrQbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County commissioners on Feb. 11 approved an interlocal agreement to host a biweekly Kaufman County Farmers Market and to launch a community‑driven garden and sustainability program at the Historic Poor Farm.

County staffer Pam requested court approval, saying the initiative will be a collaboration among Kaufman County, the Kaufman County Historical Commission, Hope for Small Farm Stability (HOPE), the Farmers Market organizers, and Resource Connection. “We are seeking approval to host the Kaufman County Farmers Market and launch a community garden program at the Historic Poor Farm,” Pam said.

HOPE representative Ashley described the market’s history and plans: the downtown market has operated for six or seven years and “we could fit over a hundred vendors. If we have that many, we've already had over 40 fill out the interest form.” She said HOPE will provide sustainable‑farming education, 20‑by‑20 plots for participants, tools, seeds and ongoing mentorship. Ashley said site A was the grant‑funded location but that the grant funds are on hold; site B would proceed using other HOPE funds and 11 people had already begun starting seeds.

Organizers told commissioners the program will include monthly workshops on organic farming and garden design, opportunities to engage students and senior citizens, and potential partnerships with WIC, food stamps and local food banks. When asked whether plot growers could sell their produce, Ashley said growers could “sell it, you can feed your family with it, you can donate it.”

County staff and master gardeners discussed water access and irrigation; staff said water has been moved to the area for master gardeners and that drip‑line irrigation is planned. Organizers also said they have reviewed vendor information with the county’s insurance provider and included vendor disclaimers to limit county liability.

Why it matters: The project aims to preserve the Historic Poor Farm’s legacy while expanding access to local food production and agricultural education across the county. Organizers and the historical commission expect the program to strengthen local collaboration and to boost attendance at the site’s events — organizers said prior homestead days drew about 500 attendees each.

Vote and next steps: Commissioner Moore moved to approve the interlocal agreement; Commissioner Crow seconded. The court voted to approve the agreement. Staff and HOPE will proceed with initial plots at the site and continue outreach to vendors and community partners.

Ending: Organizers asked staff to coordinate with the Kaufman County Historical Commission on preservation requirements and to return to court with operational details if needed.","Court approved an interlocal agreement to host a biweekly farmers market and community garden program at the Historic Poor Farm with nonprofit partner HOPE and others; organizers said grant funds are currently on hold but some participants have already begun crops.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6667495,"Kaufman County auditor says federal reimbursement shortfall leaves dam project funding uncertain",214,1150000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7&start=1150&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259788-ed16c04eca3761f85134adb176021ea7/thumbnail_1150000.jpg","/articles/6667495/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-auditor-says-federal-reimbursement-shortfall-leaves-dam-project-funding-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667495-f90a2c8b7191e00fa6a34ef557e5ee3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201889&Signature=TypELVxu-6xANsqf7rQmBP327aTOfiGanG35KLcHua22VUzVnT8h3OFNfzNXSHlz4dc6y8dZQYg6vJA1JIHgcqJv33hzW1TtHdH82w-ejG5v3Wf8GhY-X9tPM5bPAJ6ukFAwc4cZKfWhthXeCjFoFx-IGDsDjpWz0-QnINy5GzpOTD~x2dHqBrdy8t0ao-xTsxK~cTb6acH3gpjZ3uoR5VHm2Sj42qAwSO3bINK5~C8QDq5eAFdRnDOiiwfOgWruF1sJXWa9XgOV4XH03cDWw~dLqrOb65v8zRf9uPugyu5wASt2Jlb7Am32JidzCXul7TXN2mDVNSa~dBwWQuBgYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kaufman County’s auditor told the commissioners’ court on Feb. 11 that a federal reimbursement for a dam project has been limited and that the county faces a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall if payments continue.

The auditor read an email from the Texas State office handling reimbursements, saying, “looks like we can only reimburse you $666,566 at the present time on the federal request for reimbursement of $2,096,937.96 that you submitted.” The auditor added, “The state share is $1,122,215.12 that will be reimbursed from the state. The gap is a little over $1,400,000.”

The auditor asked the court for direction and said she did not want to place the county “in a liability status where we're in the hole that much.” She recommended withholding the next scheduled payment to the contractor until reimbursement questions are resolved.

Why it matters: The county budget assumes federal and state reimbursements for the work; a failure to receive full federal funds could create a direct cash shortfall for the county or require the county to cover contractor payments temporarily. The auditor said the delay is tied to a federal freeze on some funds and that the timing for release of remaining federal dollars is unknown.

Court discussion and next steps: Commissioners and staff discussed options including asking the state to advance funds and the risks of suspending contractor work. The auditor warned that stopping the project could create demobilization and remobilization costs and raised concerns about the dam’s condition “as far as its safety and the people downstream.” The court agreed to hold the disputed payment pending further information and instructed staff to pursue more details from state and federal contacts.

What the transcript records: The auditor said the county submitted a federal reimbursement request for $2,096,937.96 and received notice that $666,566 could be reimbursed at present; the auditor recorded the state share as $1,122,215.12. The auditor also reported an agenda item to authorize a payment to the contractor of $114,650.74, and noted that some portion of that amount would be federal funds not yet available.

Background details from the meeting: The auditor said she had been working with state contacts and that the issue is connected to a larger federal funding freeze. She said she will continue to press state and federal offices for clarity and return with options at a future court meeting.

Ending: County staff will report back after additional contact with state and federal agencies; the court paused the contested payment while staff pursues options and more information.","County auditor reported the state and federal reimbursements for a dam project fall far short of submitted costs and recommended holding contractor payments until reimbursements clear.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kaufman County commissioners approve routine consent items, election contract and sheriff equipment; auditors flag a dam reimbursement issue

Commissioners approve Kaufman County Farmers Market, community garden at Historic Poor Farm

Kaufman County auditor says federal reimbursement shortfall leaves dam project funding uncertain