Jasper County Commissioners Court: Donations Accepted, Patrol Vehicles Approved, Burn Ban Implemented

Rita Shipp
Nov 10
3 min read

The Jasper County Commissioners Court met in regular session Monday, November 10, 2025, addressing a full slate of law-enforcement, grant, leasing, and infrastructure matters.

District Clerk Reports Accepted

The meeting opened with District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy, who presented the office’s criminal and civil fee reports. The Court accepted both reports without objection.

Sheriff’s Office: Donations, Vehicles, and Overtime Funding

Sheriff Chuck Havard presented multiple items to the Court:

The Sheriff requested approval to accept $500 from Tractor Supply – Buna and $500 from Mr. and Mrs. Berryman of Jasper. The donations will be applied to the Sheriff’s Office vehicle budget line.
✔️ Court approved and authorized a budget amendment.
Havard, joined by Chief Deputy Larry Pulliam, Jr. and Major Steve Crowell, requested permission to obtain additional patrol vehicles through a special government financing program with First National Bank of Texas. The Sheriff stated the long-term intent is to move away from vehicle leasing under Enterprise and return to purchasing and owning existing units.
✔️ Court authorized participation in the program.
Havard requested payoff of accumulated compensatory overtime for Sheriff’s Office employees from the past six months — totaling $89,223.71.
✔️ Court approved, funding the payout from the Prisoner Reimbursement Fund.

The Sheriff then submitted the monthly jail report, noting Jasper County invoiced $47,445.00 for housing inmates from Newton County, Liberty County, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

✔️ Report approved.

The Court also discussed the jail expansion project to add 14 additional beds. No bids were received on the initial posting.

✔️ County Auditor Melissa Smith was authorized to coordinate with the architectural firm to rebid the project.

Grant Authorizations

The Court approved allowing departments to apply for upcoming grant funding rounds through the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission. Eligible grants include:

Criminal justice projects
Emergency management
Solid waste programs

Lease Agreements Approved

Commissioners approved three separate lease matters:

Dixie Community Resource Center – Lease between Jasper County and the Community & Family Historical Preservation Association, Inc. The project will be funded through CDBG-Mitigation funds as part of disaster-preparedness efforts.
Helicopter Air Ambulance Crew Housing – Lease between Jasper County and Bluebird Medical Enterprises, LLC (Allegiance Mobile Health) for crew living quarters at Jasper County’s Kirbyville Airport.
Rayburn Country Office Space – Updated lease for office space used by:
- Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace
- Precinct 5 Constable
- Sheriff’s Office presence in Rayburn Country
  New monthly lease cost: $1,950.00

Infrastructure: Precinct 3 Bridge Project

The Court approved acquiring approximately ¾ acre of land needed for a TxDOT off-system bridge grant project in Precinct 3. The landowner has agreed to sell the parcel for $24,000, and the Court authorized Judge Mark Allen to initiate acquisition.

Burn Ban Reinstated

Due to severe drought conditions across the region, the Court:

Renewed Jasper County’s local disaster declaration
Issued a countywide burn ban

Board Appointments

The Court approved the following appointments:

Larry McBride of Buna to the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District Board
(Replacing Billy Ted Smith, whom the Court thanked for his service)
Katherina Acosta, Jon Shillings, and Steve Moorehead to the Umphrey Pavilion Board of Directors

Election Business

The Court began the process of canvassing votes from the 2025 Proposition Election. Three mail-in ballots — including one from a military voter — were delayed in transit. The Court authorized Judge Mark Allen and Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark to perform the limited canvass, but also agreed to schedule a Special Called Meeting if needed once ballots are resolved.