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The Round Top Town Council went into closed session to discuss 4 potential lawsuits.  After over two hours in closed session, the Council voted on item 1 to go to arbitration, on items 2 and 3 they took no action and on item 4, the courthouse square and precinct courthouse ownership dispute, they voted to "file suit against Fayette County for claims related to the Round Top Town Square, the action...

On this day in Commissioners Court, I was attacked personally by two members of the Court for several minutes and thrown out.  They were trying to send me a message; a public spanking.  It didn’t work.  Listen to the audio, read my explanation and my response.

The entire population of the Town of Round Top must have attended tonight’s meeting.  I counted nearly 80 members of the public in attendance at one point, not including the council.  The tiny Courthouse was packed wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder, standing room only.  Obviously, this controversial topic has elicited a lot of interest from the public.  The conversation lasted 63 minutes and you...

The Fayette County Republican Party was treated to a visit from the Senior Editor of Texas Scorecard, Brandon Waltens.  Brandon shared his thoughts on the successes and failures of the past legislative session, the Republican priorities and took questions from the audience.  You may also enjoy “Highjacked?”, his short documentary on the high jacking of the Texas House, which can be found on YouTub...

It was a crowded room for today’s 98-minute meeting with lots of public participation.  There were public comments, a proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an uncommonly lengthy public hearing on the speed limit for Bruno Road and a presentation by Cintas Uniform Company.  The budget hearing and workshop were brief with few comments, and the remainder of the meeti...

Today’s 3-hour marathon was another delightful, substantive, meaningful and consequential budget workshop.  The salary contest was on full display as the County Clerk pleaded passionately for the ladies in her office.  The Court finally settles on a 4% payroll increase for most employees and discusses creative ways to build the contingency fund.  It’s must-listen audio, listening to a room full of...

EXCLUSIVE – Today’s 3-hour budget workshop didn’t dismiss until after noon and it didn’t disappoint!  During the community support phase, some area non-profits made presentations for budget requests.  Then the Court turned to departmental budget requests, most notably from the Sheriff’s Office and EMS.  And finally, some general discussion and decision making.  Overall, it was a fruitful, producti...

Much of today’s 134 minute meeting was routine.  We heard an interesting history lesson related to Revolutionary War Patriot Private Pvt John Sorrell, who will be memorialized on the courthouse square, and discussion related to a mass gathering for a family reunion and trail ride was very informative thanks to our new mass gathering permit process, but the gem of this meeting was undoubtedly the f...

Today’s 83-minute meeting had some substantive and consequential discussion.  The top items were the elections reports (major changes and new equipment), a $700k request for new body and in-car cameras for the Sheriff’s Office and budget season slowly rumbles to life.  Not much has been revealed publicly yet but the salary contest simmers behind the scenes and shows signs of boiling.  Other inform...

In today’s 45-minute meeting, the court chooses a employee health benefits option.  In short, the deductibles for both plans will now be $2,500, the employee’s share of the cost will increase a little and the county will realize about $200,000 in savings.  In other news, a local disaster was declared over “illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling” (related to Texas’ Operation Lone...

The Court discussed the county employee benefits package renewal for another 83 minutes today and are homing in on their preferred adjustments for the new enrollment period.  In short, the Court plans to shift some of the cost burden to employees and change the balance of benefits between the existing HRA and PPO plans.  The final decision will be made at the regular meeting on 6/26.  In my nearly...

At 2 hours and 14 minutes, this meeting is one of the longest of the current administration.  Rarely are items discussed as long as the TAC employee benefits package renewal was discussed.  With an above average loss ratio of 149% and renewal premium increase of 9.7%, the county is looking for ways to save money by adjusting the employee health benefits plan design.  A special meeting has been cal...

There was not much to today’s brief 36-minute Commissioners Court meeting. Emancipation Day was proclaimed in Fayette County and Verlia Mosely Rhodes invites everyone to participate in their Juneteenth Celebration on the courthouse square featuring a zydeco band from Houston.  In other news, there is an EMS report, a grants report, and the Sheriff requested a new compliance officer position to hel...

The Fayette County Republican Women put on a fantastic program at their monthly meeting today.  Thank you, ladies, for your tireless service!  I think Don Huffines would be an excellent choice for State Comptroller, listen to his passionate plan to DOGE Texas.  Also, Lt. Col. Dennis “Goose” Geesaman announced his candidacy for House District 85.  As an actual conservative, I think he would make a...

Today’s 57 minute meeting was distinguished by celebrations and recognitions.  EMS Week and National Correctional Officer Week were proclaimed, a Certificate of Recognition or the Recycling Center was acknowledged and Amber Hielscher was promoted to Department Head of the Septic & Permitting Department, replacing new Commissioner, Clint Sternadel.  In other news, a cooperative agreement was si...

It was another routine 40 minute meeting today.  The Court deferred action on a burn ban (refusing to enact one), discussed an illegal subdivision and approved the mass gathering permit ordinance that was first introduced and discussed at the last meeting.  Once again, the highlight was the recognition of Commissioner Luke Sternadel’s service to the county in his last meeting, and a presentation o...

At 100 minutes, today’s meeting was longer than normal with two major topics discussed at length.  First is the discussion related to the potential county maintenance of roads in the City of Ellinger, and the second is related to a proposed mass gathering permit.  In other news, Soil & Water Stewardship Week, and Child Abuse Prevention Month were proclaimed in Fayette County.  The Court also a...

This morning’s brief meeting produced a major bombshell.  Clearly overcome with emotion and visibly shaking, Commissioner Sternadel made public his intent to retire at the end of April.  Thank you for your service.  The resignation, coming 20 months before the end of his term, will create a vacancy allowing Judge Mueller to appoint his replacement.  In other news, it has now been confirmed that th...

The highlight of today’s 92-minute Commissioners Court meeting was once again the discussion related to the historical Round Top courthouse.  A letter from Mayor Vincent presented to the Court states, “we welcome and applaud the well-deserved interest in the county seeking a historical designation for the Round Top Courthouse.”  In other news, it is time to re-write the county subdivision regulati...

The La Grange ISD School Board is considering adopting a 4-day school week.  One of the primary reason stated is to increase the pool of applicants for teachers.  A survey of a significant number of parents and staff was conducted, and the response was overwhelmingly supportive of the idea.  It appears change is on the horizon.  It was a fantastic discussion, listen to all 50 minutes right here.

We had a pleasant meeting today with quite a bit of discussion.  The highlight was the discussion related to a request to seek a historical designation for the Round Top Courthouse.  Three citizens gave comments, and the Court responded favorably.  In other news, the Court held lengthy discussions related to two new ambulances and County building maintenance, and briefly discussed security for the...

The highlight of today’s meeting was the discussion related to the approval of the minutes of the last meeting.  Normally a routine matter, Commissioner Harvey called for discussion and questioned the record of the election of the County Judge Pro-Tem.  Some things aren’t published because it’s not considered “polite”.  The division in the Court and testy discussion are good examples.  You must li...

Court today was mostly routine, with some interesting discussion related to buying a used ambulance, but one agenda item, and the controversy it has stirred, by far overshadows the entire agenda.  In short, the Judge Pro-Tem is a member of the Court that temporarily performs the duties of the County Judge in his absence.  Typically, that position is held by the most senior Commissioner, and Commis...

This 8-minute special meeting was primarily to discuss the timely purchase of a used vehicle, but also to discuss a subdivision plat.  It was not the most exciting of meetings, but you can hear it all right here...

Sorry gang, even I have to work from time to time.  The discussion related to the infamous trail ride continues this week.  There was a lengthy discussion, and the public was prepared to comment this time.  One articulate gentleman in particular spoke about the need to create a process for regulating and permitting mass gatherings.  Hear it all right here...