Midland County Commissioners Court met Feb. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the court:
Be it remembered that on Tuesday the 18th of February 2025 at 9:01 a.m. a meeting of the Midland County Commissioners’ Court was called to order in the Commissioners Courtroom, located at the Midland County Courthouse, 500 North Loraine Street, Midland, Texas. The following members were present:
TERRY JOHNSON, County Judge
JEFF SOMERS, County Commissioner Precinct No. 2
STEVEN VILLELA, County Commissioner Precinct No. 3
The following members were absent:
CHARLES HALL, County Commissioner Precinct No. 1
DIANNE ANDERSON, County Commissioner Precinct No. 4
Recorded by Alison Haley, County Clerk.
1. Call to Order.
2. Invocation given by Father Bala Anthony, Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church.
3. Pledges of Allegiances.
4. Discuss and take action moving Court Clerk from JP 2 to JP 4.
Presented by Judge John Barton, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Monica’s position was in Precinct 2 and should be in Precinct 4. Veronica Morales, Auditor and Sara Gray, Treasurer, joined the conversation.
Motion that we move criminal Clerk from JP 2 to JP 4.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 11
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Call item 23
5. Discuss and take action on out-of-state travel for Samual Garces, Eloisa “Irene” Ramirez, Mystie Hayes, Jonnathan Serrano, and Karely Lopez Melendez to attend Police Week in Washington D.C. from May 10-16, 2025.
Presented by Sheriff Criner. This is a budgeted event.
Motion to approve the out-of-state travel for Samual Garces, Eloisa “Irene” Ramirez, Mystie Hayes, Jonnathan Serrano, and Karely Lopez Melendez to attend Police Week in Washington D.C. from May 10-16, 2025.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 12-75
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
6. Discuss and take action on PBLEA scope of work at new LEB.
Presented by Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director and Sheriff Criner. Mr. Melendez does have the funds in his budget. PBLEA will reimburse us.
Motion to approve the scope of work for PBLEA scope of work LEB.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 76-79
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
7. Consent Agenda:
a. Take action on personnel memoranda.
b. Acknowledge Quarterly Investment report.
c. Acknowledge Treasurer’s reports for November and December 2024.
d. Take action on submitted applications for permits to use county right-of-way for utility and line installations, driveway construction, road dedication, and mailbox construction.
e. Acknowledge monthly report for Constable Pct 2.
f. Acknowledge monthly report for Constable Pct 3.
g. Acknowledge monthly report for Constable Pct 4.
h. Acknowledge monthly reports for JP 2 and JP 4.
i. Acknowledge monthly report for Warrant Services.
j. Discuss and take action on court fees for County and District Clerks’ Offices.
k. Acknowledge monthly collection report for Civil Warrants.
l. Acknowledge monthly report for Sheriff’s Office.
Motion to approve the consent agenda.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 80-359
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Recalled.
Andrew Avis Public Works Director had a question about the permits approved in item 7d. One permit was removed. No action needed.
Call item 18
8. Discuss and take action on salary increase for Chief Deputy Treasurer.
Presented by Sara Gray, Treasurer. Sara Gray would like to increase her Chief Deputy salary from a 19.6 $68,912.91 to a 19.9 $77,607.13 due to the increase that was approved for the Tax Assessors office. Judge Johnson stated that this was granted to a newly elected official that did not have access to the budget. Commissioner Villela stated that he believes that this could be looked at during the new budget cycle. No action was taken.
9. Discuss and take action on line item transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There were three additional line-item transfers for the court to consider from Fiscal Year 2024. There were a few exceptions for the Fiscal Year 2025 line-item transfers.
Motion to approve all line-item transfers.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 360-375
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
10. Discuss and take action on bills and wire transfers.
Presented by Veronica Morales, Auditor. There were 2 wire transfers from the County Clerk’s office. There were a lot of exceptions.
Motion to approve all bills and wire transfers.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 376-390
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
11. Discuss and take action on additional funds for vehicle maintenance for Constable Pct.3.
Presented by Constable Jerry Cook II, Pct. 3. Requesting funds from contingency for new tires and an oil change. Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director, joined the conversation. Tabled for more information.
Recalled
Presented by Constable Jerry Cook II, Pct. 3 and Eddie Melendez, Facilities Director.
Motion that we move $2,344.00 from contingency into Constable Precinct 3 non-contract vehicle maintenance.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 391-392
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Call Item 16
12. Discuss and take action on Interlocal Agreement with Ector County for AgriLife Extension Department.
Tabled for more information.
13. Discuss and take action on new position and grade and step for Pre Trial Intervention (PTI).
Presented by Glenn Harwood, District Attorney and Jana Anderson, District Attorney Office Administrator. Requesting to create a new position at a grade 13 out of PTI funds. Requesting starting the person moved over to a grade 13 step 15.
Create a new position funded by PTI at a grade 13 step 15.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 393-396
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
14. Discuss and take action updating Pre Trial Intervention PCN for grade change.
Presented by Glenn Harwood, District Attorney and Jana Anderson, District Attorney, Office Administrator. Requesting to modify position PCN 170-63-003 from a grade 11 to a grade 13. Increase in duties. There are funds in the budget.
Motion to approve updating PCN 170-63-003 from a grade 11 to a grade 13.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 397-400
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
15. Discuss and take action hiring ADA’s at a step 1 and increasing to step 3.5 after probation period.
Presented by Glenn Harwood, District Attorney. Would like to hire new ADA’s at a step one and after they pass the bar exam increase them to a step 3.5. Sara Gray, Treasurer, joined the conversation.
Motion to give the District Attorney the authority, when hiring an ADA that does not have his bar results to start on step 1 and when they do to give them a raise to a step 3.5.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 401-402
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Recall item 11
16. Discuss and take action on new position and grade and step for Assistant Election Administrator Trainee.
Presented by Rosa Olgin, Elections Administrator. Requesting to hire a replacement for her Assistant before she retires. She would like the new Assistant Elections Administrator to start at a grade 19 step 3.
Motion to approve hiring a new Assistant EA at a 19 3 prior to the retirement of current Assistant EA.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 403
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
17. Discuss and take action on the following new positions with job descriptions for Public Works:
a. Road & Bridge Operations/Project Manager.
b. Road & Bridge Foreman.
c. Regulations Manger/Internal Landman. 22.7
d. Capital Projects Part Time Assistant Manager. 22.1
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. A and B would be out of the Road and Bridge budget. C and D will be out of the Public Works budget, currently we do not have the funds to cover these positions right now. Veronica Morales, Auditor stated that there are funds in salary contingency.
Motion to authorize Public Works to create a new position and post for receiving applications being Public Works Regulations Manager/Internal Landman, Capital Projects Part Time Assistant manager. Operations and Project Manager will be at 29 10.5, Senior Forman at 24-12.5, Manager and Landman at 22.7, and then Public Works Capital Assistant Manager at 22.1.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 404-412
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Recall item 7.
18. Discuss and take action on waiver of SB 2440 for ETJ Plat PHX Permian Park.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. Requesting a waiver of SB 2440 for ETJ Plat PHx Permian Park. The City of Odessa will be approving the plat. John Newton, Newton Engineering addressed the Courts questions. He stated that they would like a letter from the Court stating that they have no objections to the plat. Russell Malm, County Attorney stated that the request should come from the City of Odessa. Tabled. No action taken.
19. Discuss and take action on change order with Cerris Builders for JP Building.
Presented by Andrew Avis, Public Works Director. This is simply changing the dates. Motion to approve the change order with Cerris Builders for JP Building.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 413-416
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
20. Discuss and take action on the contract with Danny’s Asphalt Paving for 2025 Maintenance Pothole repairs.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager.
Motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the contract for the 2025 Midland County Maintenance Pothole Repair with Danny's Asphalt Paving.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit: 417-446
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
21. Discuss and take action on work authorization with WTC for design of the 2026 Maintenance Seal Coat Project.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager.
Motion authorizing to WTC for design for the 2026 Maintenance Seal Coat Project.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 447-449
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
22. Discuss and take action on Reimbursement Agreement with Energy Transfer for CR1250 project.
Presented by Jesse Ferguson, Public Works Capital Projects Manager. They want to do the work, and we pay them back.
Motion to authorize the County Judge to sign the Reimbursement Agreement with Energy Transfer for the CR1250 project.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Johnson Exhibit: 450-455
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
23. Discuss and take action on use of Horseshoe for the following:
a. International Rocket Engineering Competition on June 9-14, 2025.
Presented by Steven Garcia, Horseshoe Director. This is a large event for use of the Horseshoe during June. It will be brought back to Court later. No action taken.
b. Texas Association of Counties (TAC) to use Horseshoe Education Building for training on September 23, 2025.
Presented by Steven Garcia, Horseshoe Director. Jenny Hilton, County Court Executive Assistant, answered the Courts questions.
Motion that we allow Texas Association of Counties (TAC) to use the Horseshoe Education Building for training on September 23, 2025.
Motion by: Johnson Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 456
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
c. Hazmat Safety Workshop on April 15 & 16, 2025.
Presented by Steven Garcia, Horseshoe Director. This is a multi-agency event.
Motion that we allow Emergency Management to use the Horseshoe April 15 & 16, 2025. For free.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 457-459
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Call item 5
24. Acknowledge accident/incident reports.
Presented by Carol O’Shaughnessy, Risk Manager.
Motion acknowledging January 2025 accident/incident reports.
Motion by: Villela Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 460-479
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
25. Discuss and take action on use of county trash trailer and vehicle for trash pick up initiative.
Presented by Commissioner Villela. Requesting to use the county truck and trailer to help a trash pick-up event. Commissioner Villela made a motion to allow Steven to use a county truck and trailer to pick up trash. The motion did not receive a second, so the motion died. No action taken.
26. Discuss and take action on Library Advisory Board.
Presented by County Judge Johnson.
Bonita Tribble, a member of the Library Advisory Board, addressed the court and did not understand why there was another committee created. County Judge Johnson stated that it is not a committee, it is a voluntary group. Commissioner Villela asked what the Library Advisory Board handled. They have not met for about 6 months.
Motion to dissolve the Library Advisory Board.
Motion by: Johnson Seconded by: Somers Exhibit: 480
For: Somers, Johnson Against: Villela Abstaining:
Motion passes.
27. Adjourn.
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by: Somers Seconded by: Villela Exhibit:
For: All (3) Against: None Abstaining:
Adjourn at 10:11 a.m.
https://www.co.midland.tx.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02182025-459