Kaufman County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a package of routine and operational items including final plat approval for a four-lot subdivision, a directional bore permit for fiber optic installation in Precinct 3, multiple road-material and hauling contracts, a change to floodplain permit fees to be handled in-house, the purchase of heavy equipment and payment of nearly $895,192 in county invoices.

The measures, taken by voice vote during the regular session at the county annex in downtown Kaufman, also included the appointment of Brandy Van Huss as fiscal officer for the county Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) and a proclamation urging state elected officials to preserve local channels for advocacy and communication.

The approvals affect county permitting and procurement processes and the pace of infrastructure work. County Judge and commissioners said the changes are intended to speed customer service for residents, reduce reliance on outside consultants and secure materials for road maintenance.

Magnolia Vista, a roughly 6-acre tract in Precinct 1, was presented to the court as a four-lot split with lots ranging from about 1.1 to 2 acres. The court approved the final plat after staff said all required documentation and approvals had been submitted. Commissioner Crow made the motion and Commissioner Lane seconded; the motion carried on voice vote.

The court approved a directional boring permit for a fiber-optic installation in Precinct 3. Development services staff said the work will be performed by bore, not trenching, and that required documentation had been provided. Commissioner Lane moved to approve the permit; Commissioner Phillips seconded and the court approved the request.

The court also approved what the purchasing staff described as the county’s annual road-materials and hauling contracts. Purchasing reported 17 bids for the 12-month contract, with firm pricing for the first six months, and recommended awarding multiple vendors for materials and delivery based on availability and location. The purchasing report highlighted primary and secondary vendors including Canfield Materials, Vulcan Materials, Texas Materials and MB Concrete; staff said overall pricing reflected a 6.4% increase compared with the prior year. A motion to award the multiple contracts carried on voice vote.

On floodplain permitting, county staff told the court that temporary use of an outside consulting engineering firm had been necessary after an in-house engineering position was vacant. Staff said the county had used consultant hourly rates for technical FEMA-related reviews such as Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) work and floodplain technical analyses. "It was a little bit dramatic for a single-family, one-home structure with a flood plain on their property to pay a $5,000 drainage study," a staff member, Monique, said. The court approved removing consultant engineering fees from the subdivision review fee sheet and adopting in-house floodplain permit and review fees now that in-house staff (Jeremy) is pursuing certification; the change was described as a way to reduce costs and keep revenue in the county.

Purchasing staff reported that a precinct requests a backhoe/loader under the Sourcewell contract; staff recommended proceeding with the purchase and the court approved the recommendation. The purchasing office also presented the annual road-materials contract and the court approved the award to multiple vendors.

Accounts-payable invoices totaling $886,369.84 and jury checks of $8,822 were presented for payment, for a combined total of $895,191.84; the court approved payment on a voice vote. County staff thanked courthouse employees for heavy public demand at the justice center and high volumes of passports and court activity.

The court unanimously approved a proclamation to state elected officials urging the preservation of local advocacy through the county’s association (TAC) and the appointment of Brandy Van Huss as CSCD fiscal officer; Van Huss described the fiscal-officer role as overseeing financial documentation, budget amendments and ensuring compliance with state requirements.

During discussion on fiber, staff said the vendor "Open and Friends" had notified the county it would not pursue further fiber work but that other companies continue to submit permits. Commissioner Moore relayed a phone commendation from attorney John Bard praising development services and the county engineer for their work.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda including minutes, tax reports and appointment of Brandy Van Huss to CSCD fiscal officer—approved (voice vote).
- Magnolia Vista final plat (Precinct 1)—approved; motion by Commissioner Crow, second Commissioner Lane (voice vote).
- Directional bore permit for fiber in Precinct 3—approved; motion by Commissioner Lane, second Commissioner Phillips (voice vote).
- Move floodplain permit reviews in-house and remove consultant engineering fees—approved; motion moved by County Judge, second Commissioner Lane (voice vote).
- Purchase of backhoe/loader (Precinct 1)—approved (voice vote); price listed in packet not specified in the record.
- Annual road materials and hauling contract awards (Bid 2025-002)—approved; 17 bids received, multiple vendors awarded, ~6.4% price increase vs. prior year (voice vote).
- Proclamation to state elected officials affirming local decision-making (TAC) —approved; motion by Commissioner Crow, second Commissioner Phillips (voice vote).
- Payment of accounts payable/invoices and jury checks totaling $895,191.84—approved; motion by Commissioner Moore, second Mr. Blaine (voice vote).

What remained administrative and informational
Staff said Jeremy, the county’s development services staff member, is pursuing floodplain manager certification and that the county’s stormwater inspector also attended the training and needs to schedule testing. Purchasing staff emphasized the bid-book documentation and encouraged commissioners to consult the purchasing office with questions. Staff noted that the outside fiber firm that had been active recently is pausing work, but other companies continue to submit permits.