[{"_1":2,"_133":-5,"_134":-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",[32,75,86,98,110,122],{"_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",6561076,"mediaKeyId","3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094","parentId",3298377,"title","Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court (May 14, 2025)","audioSeconds",4114,"startMs",88000,"endMs",4202000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=88&end=4202","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_88000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561076/Waller-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Waller-County-Commissioners-Court-May-14-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561076-8bb231b34242ebd7068b9aae09218726/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=Zf-15rJP0hbK5WACCwFm7gBSLc91QhCeIhgM0iuhO306leROlf46iSWji0M0GUNsbmJ8A1kuAYxh1AoKoutuOWqLNPotOBPf4sh-2mjTTlyTKKZlFwC46kQzsXPWCbU4tnnU1Kd1d0IsEkf~AwjoOUq4-q31DnTHjMkhdHcylMUkoMyErRr2b3rRjf0CNjV9pEvt2Cq9vuaDLQI8twwWNAG4aXK5nq~dYK9LUIHkNjFXpk9UsQa-QXZ6vC1p99EGhYrrXvn6TjaNYZ2EF8nw9wyFXYV5T8j7wfBt163Q~2o1R-gW-RX1-TDn-YJ1cLRjQK7mV9fN5qdj044rxKKI~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waller","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Waller County Commissioners Court took the following formal actions during its May 14, 2025 meeting. Where vote counts were not recorded by name the court conducted votes by voice/raised hands; outcomes below reflect the court’s announced results.

- Approved the agenda (voice vote).
- Public comment received from Carolyn Mickey (tax office) with tax collection and delinquency information; no formal action required.
- Agenda item 37 (proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month): initially tabled, later reconsidered and approved.
- Agenda item 38 (proclamation declaring May 11–17, 2025 National Police Week and May 15, 2025 Peace Officers Memorial Day): approved.
- Approved pay application and contract renewals: Xerox copier renewal using Omnia Partners contract R191104 (monthly $958.74 allocated to departmental line items); ICS annual support invoice $7,320 for telephone equipment and service (term Jan 1–Dec 31, 2025); KHKR environmental septic maintenance contract renewal $840 (06/15/2025–06/14/2026).
- Authorized County Judge to execute the State vendor agreement for the SAVENS (victim notification) program (state vendor change) — approved.
- Authorized county grant manager to submit FY26 Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority catalytic converter grant application for a second-year lease extension of Flock equipment; local match requested $17,017 — approved.
- Approved payment applications and invoices related to courthouse and modular facilities: multiple pay applications to Sidalco Inc. and Soudalco (as listed in agenda) totaling multi-million dollars; payment to LJA Engineering ($123,726.30) for program management; payment to Soudalco application No. 14 ($380,197.67) for Justice Center modulars; other specified vendor invoices paid from listed line items — all approved.
- Approved general plan (Marigold) and related variance requests to the subdivision regulations (amendment to indicate Precinct 2 on the record) — approved.
- Approved Bluebonnet development agreement (Precinct 3 as presented, amended to allow future dedication of drainage area should Morrison Road be widened) — motion carried 3–1.
- Approved multiple legal and administrative invoices (for example, payments to the Randall Law Office for development-review legal work) — approved.
- Authorized Memorial Day fireworks sales (order authorizing fireworks sales) — approved; county will monitor fire-risk conditions and permit applications.
- Moved into executive session for deliberation on business/real-property matters and contract negotiations pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.072 and 551.0725 and returned to open session; no additional open-session action was required following executive session.

If you need the exact invoice numbers, line-item charges or the full motion language, those items are recorded in the official minutes and the clerk’s payment register.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waller - Commissioners Court - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the court on May 14, 2025, including proclamations, contract renewals, grant authorizations, pay applications and development approvals.","taxTitle","Waller County, Texas","taxId",54097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561081,"County approves payments for courthouse construction and temporary modular facilities; officials detail timeline",0,5915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=5915&end=5915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_5915000.jpg","/articles/6561081/Waller-County/Texas/County-approves-payments-for-courthouse-construction-and-temporary-modular-facilities-officials-detail-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561081-293d94c465bffcb8d2fcf6b5db7b1d45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=k6mm~GU~aydtZv0q5mowIqMKQSR1RgIqTxFyWoaZnEm96gVMOOt9AbUlMXuocmsK1ulZGTIbl~HxkZRM6t8M~e2SnOJ6CsaOwzObq0TZ~vozpFG11nqFXiR~FKcfa85M7nbHkqY~kVCOoGUudckaaeDVZrFz4QmmpJ4mznmEIQm9twRen9FZ6TEnYHRpk4kyFuMs7REvHKFGqoXDe4lDl-gfJ9bs0d6xt-2tKSbur1RpdB2Qe9uq3KJzB-LbK5m-MCWpMRsaqPmbrodAi7SzXdF6qBPYo5ZQMWQASUU-CL~CLgqSnnBiHCV55229m2JFGPPFjLjyCM7zZWXCIgFPrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners approved payment applications for ongoing courthouse construction and for modular buildings purchased with ARPA funds to serve as temporary court and office space.

County staff showed construction photos and reported that rooftop HVAC, interior finishes, terrazzo floors and skylight framing are in place. The court approved a pay application of $1,434,781.41 to Sidalco Inc. and an earlier application of $1,401,754.50 plus $33,026.91 from courthouse construction line items, as well as $380,197.67 for site modular work and an earlier $123,726.30 payment to LJA Engineering for program management. The court also approved a $7,320 annual support payment to ICS for phone system support and a Xerox copier renewal at $958.74 per month allocated across departmental line items.

Staff said nine modular units are now on-site; the district clerk, district attorney and two judge offices will occupy modulars while the county repairs condensation-related damage in the 506 building. Staff estimated the modulars could be operational by mid-June with relocation of some services into July; renovation of the 506 building was expected to run through August with re-occupation in early September, subject to weather and construction conditions. Staff said jury selection and other court activity may be staged in temporary spaces to maintain operations.

Why it matters: the payments represent major progress on the county’s long-running courthouse replacement project and a near-term solution to office and courtroom space constraints. Commissioners said the new courthouse will support upgraded public access, improved courtroom capacity and consolidated county offices.

What’s next: staff will continue to manage the contractor payments, finalize furniture and landscaping plans and keep a target schedule for court and office moves into late summer and early fall.","Commissioners approved large contractor payments for the new courthouse and for modular facilities being installed as interim court and office space. County staff said modular units will be operational by mid-June to early July and courthouse fit-out remains on track for a late-summer/early-fall occupancy target.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561086,"WARM asks Waller County for supplemental funding as demand and funding cuts squeeze services",311,937000,1248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=937&end=1248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6561086/Waller-County/Texas/WARM-asks-Waller-County-for-supplemental-funding-as-demand-and-funding-cuts-squeeze-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561086-94f209ea29d798904225b263e45e7704/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=lvHzBLxPxXgECssaYSgEWJIfVNKBy0MSJ1JddHKMJXRUR5avQoq6r1Rqe0apfBg0QNzNhBmEaA5ySo9g0HQAf1ZpFKCz4bgUhn4Ys9djB2J4Hlpdww0Pp8W9-janSIZttDVlNfPaRyT0tZTN1OHJeDC20EbmJ23ERk3IC4QqAszT1McHkmphESRp0nKXkBNRa0kw7bAnLf3LYq7HqdB61DyGdDT8D4QqO9F9kXlugIxfQWWvezwCpYC1Kv-~RKbEAq56pkKQvOrHnmPAtsKZh5cS3s7D44FVlXah8heZq1wtz0ODp6DwYa6PA6YzieINqowu44khou6eEHkRKKRcag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Waller Assistance and Restoration Ministries (WARM) presented the nonprofit’s 20-year history, recent service statistics and a request that the county consider supplemental funding for client assistance during the FY2026 budget process.

WARM’s presenter, Eric Kolbeck, said the organization recorded more than 5,000 pantry visits last year (about a 20% year-on-year increase) and estimated nearly $500,000 in food distributed. He said WARM provided up to $50,000 in client-assistance funds during 2024 to help with rent, utilities and medical bills and that the organization distributed 175 Thanksgiving meals and partnered with Toys for Tots at Christmas.

Kolbeck described funding sources: the thrift store (about 47% of income), donor contributions (~27%), fundraisers (~20%), and donated food from partners including the food bank and Texas Department of Agriculture programs. He warned of headwinds: population growth expected to double county population in 5–8 years per the Waller Economic Development Partnership, a recent $11 million loss of federal funding to the Houston Food Bank, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (FEMA) on hold for the current calendar year.

WARM requested that the commissioners “consider county funding in 2026” to augment WARM’s client-assistance budget; Kolbeck said a $25,000 county allocation could help roughly 200 families (examples: 25 families assisted with rent, 25 with utilities, and 150 with food or gift-card supplements). Commissioners thanked WARM and said they would consider the request during budget deliberations.

Why it matters: WARM serves primarily Waller County residents (Kolbeck said 75% of clients live in Waller County) and the organization’s client-assistance fund helps households facing emergencies during a period of rapid county growth and reduced federal support to food banks.

What’s next: Commissioners said staff will review WARM’s request as part of the FY2026 budget process.","Waller Assistance and Restoration Ministries (WARM) presented its 20-year service footprint and asked the court to consider county funding for client assistance in FY2026 amid rising demand, a $50,000 2024 client assistance baseline and uncertain FEMA program funding.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561089,"Waller County proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month; providers and sheriff describe service gaps and jail impacts",353,1459000,1812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=1459&end=1812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_1459000.jpg","/articles/6561089/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-proclaims-May-as-Mental-Health-Awareness-Month-providers-and-sheriff-describe-service-gaps-and-jail-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561089-3ed4f24c187de35c5581eb0db3671271/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=WQpdPejLnm8bjAukyii2Sec23OVJm78Lg0O2Rt69RB3VUSu7wi8tFke-1IbuNCMwdLa3aP5DUQBdCViF6qi1RFD3lQ5YOHwkXm9IvEBFzbhP7TSk0rjaBSQ9TREBf-kv3uG~TZrqqJJ92RDMfHOR-nY2H3OKkEIrKPd1I0O9M5q94K8MwkiPnTrki0EYHQyhyLwa85fwimvsu3y4ZnRH8KJMK0M4eID414w3sIxOgHIiibRUy4ufdsqKrCeMMcZxBBd4qvbP20RliOIGftCvJOXWkkfD~TPmqAfy3mUa6rGxsLGEj2r--Tiuq-MXGMHO~jHZSiGarHTBSdmCuhHp3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation declaring May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month and heard presentations from Texana Center about behavioral-health services and the county’s partnership with crisis response teams.

Jessica (clinic manager at Texana Center’s Brookshire clinic) read the proclamation and outlined the county’s public–private coordination. County staff and commissioners praised Texana’s work and noted that the county’s mental-health response includes crisis intervention training (CIT) for deputies and a continuing relationship with Texana’s mobile crisis outreach when available.

Texana representatives said federal and state funding pressures are constraining services. Texana staff said their rural mobile crisis outreach team funding was cut and that virtual screening and a 1-800 crisis line remain available to officers for on-scene screenings. Carrie Janacek, director of behavioral health services for Texana Center, told the court the center provided more than 5,000 pantry visits in a separate WARM presentation and described Texana’s clinical referral services for underinsured county residents.

Sheriff Hedrick told the court the county “probably have about 15% of our jail occupied by inmates that are mentally ill,” and described how jail is often used when state facilities are unavailable. He said the department maintains CIT-trained officers, a CIT supervisor on call 24/7, and that the sheriff’s office has tried diversion where possible, but the county lacks state-level capacity to place some people into specialized beds quickly.

Commissioners and Texana representatives said early intervention, access to care and funding stability are key, and the court encouraged residents to learn about available resources.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed mental-health services as a county priority tied to public safety and jail population management. The court acknowledged state funding cuts and the limits of local authority in developing inpatient capacity but committed to continuing the local partnership with Texana and CIT-trained deputies.

What’s next: The proclamation was adopted; county and Texana will continue to coordinate crisis response and the court said it will consider funding requests during the 2026 budget process.","The court approved a proclamation naming May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month. Representatives from Texana Center and the sheriff's office described funding cuts, reduced crisis teams, county partnership with Texana and a continued reliance on jails for some people in crisis.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561094,"Commissioners weigh county assistance districts as tool to keep sales tax revenue local",1191,4161000,5352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=4161&end=5352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_4161000.jpg","/articles/6561094/Waller-County/Texas/Commissioners-weigh-county-assistance-districts-as-tool-to-keep-sales-tax-revenue-local","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561094-f36304b781b8a32e37fcb97a28477aa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=magTR0hebHSuBqvoOKv1ycRECsFK8-gbSi~~S4TpIxZT9mELgX7K53ZSnaHXAwBQ3qBh4YONwdj-K3OnwIF6WAnx~wgw3vpfOyciThBAaq~nZNrhagKYh8zjshfwAE5Nnkmxq4E43mv-8gIPqAL8NtodRHrarJmck1bKORZMLU9Eqx5paVrjAjIFp~M~NSHp4AGPnstdqI5mACOMCY~gCwgS7DwojU-34i-v-f2Th-ox8CixbktvFUVu9HDKyaTfT2~UVVkvV9YmUegA-yH3Biey-0yTB0X8xPS1VM4Tvbm0HfbXgjsON6hC8uHSkraYogz9wp1ip8aITukx2FCL2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court held an extended policy discussion about county assistance districts (CADs) — a locally administered sales-tax mechanism that would allow the county to retain one cent of sales tax collected in unincorporated areas for local projects.

Supporters on the court argued CADs would keep sales-tax dollars generated in the county from flowing to the state or to special districts, and that the funds could be used for infrastructure, law enforcement, emergency services, or other eligible projects. One commissioner said the county currently sends “our hard earned sales tax money to Austin” and urged keeping those dollars local to help roads and public safety.

Opponents cautioned that a countywide CAD might fail at the ballot because voters in areas that do not directly benefit could reject a tax that appears to be spent elsewhere; those commissioners favored precinct-based CADs so revenue would stay closer to where it was collected. Multiple commissioners said outreach and community education would be required before placing any CAD on the ballot.

The court discussed timing: paperwork and maps would need completion over the summer if the court wants a CAD on the November ballot, with the election call likely required in August. The court asked staff to return in June with refined options (precinct-level vs. countywide), sample maps and an outreach plan so commissioners can decide whether to proceed and how to frame public education.

Why it matters: Waller County is in rapid growth; commissioners said sales-tax revenue that can be kept locally could provide recurring funding for roads, public safety and other infrastructure that would otherwise be paid to the state or captured by other districts.

What’s next: staff to prepare draft documents and outreach plan for June; if the court decides to proceed, the election calendar requires a formal call in August to place a CAD question on a November ballot.","Commissioners discussed whether to place county assistance districts (CADs) on an upcoming ballot, debating precinct-based districts versus a countywide district and outreach needs. The court set a follow-up in June to resolve scope and begin public education ahead of an August election call.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":46,"_47":127,"_49":128,"_51":129,"_53":130,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":131,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":132,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561098,"Waller County approves Bluebonnet subdivision agreement with conditions after debate over lot sizes and road dedication",809,3393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094&start=3393&end=4202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298377-6c93078b9abf99f52463ae9a1645e094/thumbnail_3393000.jpg","/articles/6561098/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-approves-Bluebonnet-subdivision-agreement-with-conditions-after-debate-over-lot-sizes-and-road-dedication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561098-eb09a35ff53094ae2eb6cc51bca1a17a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660279&Signature=dquFxBY5bCabCAdVsuLkTHgV5ClgdadxGU9CuoE5Opzr0Udovc~SaZ6xzJnzM5YDVBYGP~EZKGOryhDBF5PlrHjoCUlXsnuSiWTCxtE6jP~MLEh~CqwcwUoji6mBJ32PH7VTrq58rzZ0M63BNRuI21rrD7hkZvCbZOEeA4GznS4p-utcKKv7ld53~HjrF3BYom2eF7MWs4DgAt3Tz1KEnBr8~WccHl9sIvX50~SYhHQwmqnhz8NIMkKv1p7EEBtsXLNWJY~db6pMsX6xJllbT9~A5m-Jok2JoZLGwsMbxjAk7JkosOpaQHxk0adfav-7HmlXl0JjosH8P59~xeZSjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners Court approved a development agreement for the Bluebonnet subdivision, a proposed 229-acre project that would build up to 876 residential lots with a contractual cap of 1,000 lots.

County staff said the developer will provide a mix of lot sizes (29% 40-foot lots, 21% 45-foot lots, remainder 50-foot lots), prohibit multifamily and build-to-rent products inside the subdivision, and dedicate right-of-way for Morrison Road. Staff and the developer said Morrison Road contributions would allow the county to expand the scope of planned improvements; the county expects roughly $155,000 to be dedicated to county parks as part of the deal and a developer payment of just over $1 million if the county elects cash in lieu for half-width construction.

The court’s approval included standard variances (lot size, right-of-way, cul-de-sac length and centerline radius) and a provision that the developer pay for any required traffic-control devices on county roads that serve the development. County staff said the thoroughfare plan calls for an 80-foot ultimate Morrison Road right-of-way; staff also described a 50-foot drainage buffer adjacent to Morrison that will serve as an interim swale to receive off-site flows until Morrison is improved.

Commissioners debated whether the proposed share of 40-foot lots is appropriate for the county’s long-term infrastructure needs. One commissioner said they could not support a plan in which a large share of lots were narrower than 50 feet, arguing smaller lot widths could constrain future road expansion and long-term planning. In response, staff and the developer agreed to add contract language allowing the county, if Morrison Road is widened and converted to curb-and-gutter, to take dedication of the drainage buffer area to accommodate future right-of-way expansion rather than having to purchase it later.

The motion to approve the Bluebonnet development agreement as amended carried 3–1.

Why it matters: the developer-funded right-of-way dedications and traffic improvements will be used to leverage county mobility bond money and shape how Morrison Road is built in that corridor. Several commissioners said developer contributions make larger, higher-quality road projects feasible without adding county property tax. The court’s decision also reflects an ongoing tension in fast-growing Waller County between higher-density residential lot choices and future road capacity needs.

What’s next: County staff will finalize the development agreement language reflecting the drainage-buffer dedication option, and the county will post a project finance summary online as requested during the hearing.","Commissioners approved a development agreement for the 229-acre Bluebonnet subdivision, authorizing up to 876 lots (cap 1,000) and requiring right-of-way dedication, roadway contributions and a condition to allow future dedication of a drainage buffer if Morrison Road is widened.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court (May 14, 2025)

County approves payments for courthouse construction and temporary modular facilities; officials detail timeline

WARM asks Waller County for supplemental funding as demand and funding cuts squeeze services

Waller County proclaims May as Mental Health Awareness Month; providers and sheriff describe service gaps and jail impacts

Commissioners weigh county assistance districts as tool to keep sales tax revenue local

Waller County approves Bluebonnet subdivision agreement with conditions after debate over lot sizes and road dedication