Jasper County Commissioners Court 7/14/25

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen

Earlier today, the Jasper County Commissioners Court met in regular session.

The Jasper County Historical Commission was recognized for being the recipient of the 2024 Texas Historical Commission Distinguished Service Award for the ninth year in a row. The Jasper County Historical Commission works diligently preserving Jasper County’s historical records and sites for future generations.

Next, Jasper County Chief Deputy Larry Pulliam Jr. and Major Steve Crowell, discussed jail matters. A total of $64,810.00 was invoiced in June, for housing inmates from Liberty, Newton and Tyler Counties, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. The invoice was approved.

As we reported several weeks ago, Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard raised an incredible amount of money within two days to purchase a law enforcement boat. The Court officially voted to accept donations received from multiple sources to help purchase a law enforcement patrol boat and trailer.  Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said, "The Court approved the current amount $60,336.00 in donations received and further approved a total of $150,000.00 in pledged and expected donations to be received over the next month or so to purchase the boat and trailer, as well as fully equipping it."

The Court then voted to authorize the Sheriff’s Office, after receiving the pledged donations, to obtain a patrol boat and trailer for use on Jasper County waterways. Also approved was the donation of services and electronic equipment for the boat and trailer from Sam Rayburn Rigging, Pete Jorgensen Marine and Sealy Outdoors.

As ETB reported last month, the Sheriff's Office also received a donation of $5,000.00 from the Smurfit-Westrock paper mill in Evadale for Sheriff’s Office law enforcement operations. The donation was officially approved by the Court. Chief Pulliam stated that the Sheriff’s Office will use the donation with additional current funds the department has to purchase an additional patrol vehicle.  Allen added, "We want to thank Smurfit-Westrock for all that they do to assist Jasper County’s law enforcement and emergency management operations."

The Court approved a donation of a STIHL brand chainsaw from retired Texas Department of Public Safety Captain Wayne Pullen on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office. Allen thanked Captain Pullen for the donation and 'his service over the years to Southeast Texas'.

An inter-local agreement between Jasper County and the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission for 9-1-1 public safety answering point services was renewed.  According to Allen, "The SETRPC provides equipment and service to Jasper County’s Sheriff’s Office Communication Center, which allows Jasper County citizens to utilize 9-1-1 to reach emergency responders in times of need."

As reported two months ago, Havard proposed using a former storage room at the Jasper County Jail to house Concluding law enforcement matters, the Court discussed the proposed remodel of Jasper County’s Jail Facility interior to convert a former records storage room into an inmate dormitory to create an additional 14 beds, bringing Jasper County’s total inmate bed space to 162 beds. Project funding will come from funds received by housing inmates. The initial funding was authorize to be taken from the General Fund and repaid by the Sheriff’s Office over time as prisoner reimbursements are received. This is the same way that the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center was recently funded.

Burns Architecture, LLC will be managing the remodeling project with $117,000.00 allotted for jail design, contract bid and project management services. According to Allen, Burns Architecture, LLC is a firm that is used statewide for designing new jails and remodel expansion projects on older facilities.

The Texas General Land Office grant project for an elevated water storage tank for the Evadale Water Control & Improvement District # 1, was approved. The funding will come from a large $13.254 million grant received to 'improve conditions throughout Jasper County'. Maquire Iron, Inc. out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota was the winning bidder for the project in the amount of $1,843,000.00 to build a 100,000 gallon elevated water storage tank for Evadale. Because no bids were received on the adjacent new water well construction project at the Evadale WC&ID # 1, the county will republish a request for bids.

An application to close and vacate County Road 236 Precinct 2 was approved at the surrounding property owner’s request. The South East Texas Regional Planning Commission will assign a Private Road number, and designate it as Drummer Ranch Road.

Also, a change order for additional tire specifications with Hollis Tire and a specific type of road oil with Ergon was approved.

The Court also voted to republish for bids for Pugmill Oil Services for road repair projects since no bids were received.

It was also decided to demolish the former Cedar Tree restaurant building following a request made by the City of Jasper. The building has not been in use for a number of years and has become dilapidated. Criminal trespassers has since become an issue. The property is considered a 'struck-off tax property', so Jasper County was required to provide consent for demolition.

Next, County Clerk Holly Thomas provided the Court with her FY2026 Records Archival Plan. Thomas explained that she was doubling efforts to scan and preserve historic Jasper County records while also working to continue her current work scanning of all new records being filed with her office. Thomas was thanked for the diligent effort she has made to 'digitize hundreds of thousands of records in her office'.

Randall Dally, Brent Meaux and Lisa Wise were reappointed for another term on the Jasper County Development District # 1 Board of Directors at Sam Rayburn.

During a FY2026 budget workshop, County Clerk Holly Thomas requested that the Court consider increasing pay for temporary election judges and their alternates to $15.00 per hour due to added duties and hours at the polls.  Thomas also requested that one of her Deputies be promoted from a Tier 3 to Tier 2 administrative position.

District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy presented the monthly civil and criminal fee report and the finance report was presented by County Treasurer Rene’ Ellis. Both were approved.

In closing, Allen added, "We ask that you continue to keep the families of the victims of the Guadalupe River flooding in your prayers and continue to pray for those emergency responders who are continuing to search for their missing loved ones".