County - Blanco County - VOL. 31, NO. 4 / JULY-AUGUST 2020 - Texas Association of Counties
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County
Peacekeeping in a pandemic p.30 Virtual Legislative Conference p.20 State budget outlook p.40
A Publication of the Texas Association of Counties
VOL. 31, NO. 4 / JULY-AUGUST 2020
COUNTY.ORG/MAGAZINE
Blanco County
U A R E .
V ER YO
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Stronger Connections
= Stronger Counties
From Anderson to Zavala and every
county in between, you can count on
TAC’s extensive legal and legislative
resources, educational opportunities,
county news and best practices, essential
data and invaluable information right at
your fingertips.
county.org
Contents
16
35 30 40
Highlights Departments
LAW ENFORCEMENT MODEL COVER STORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S
POLICIES FOR ALL TAC KEEPING THE PEACE IN A REPORT p.7
MEMBERS p.19 PANDEMIC p.30 Is the 2020 Unfunded Mandates Survey
Patrol, jail operations policies provided County law enforcement, jail operations on your to-do list?
at no cost. adjust to COVID-19.
VOICES OF COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE MODERN MASTERPIECES p.35 GOVERNMENT p.26
GOES VIRTUAL p.20 Underappreciated mid-20th century Q&A with Jefferson County District
Registration open for Aug. 26-28 courthouses featured. Clerk Jamie Smith.
history-making event.
STATE BUDGET OUTLOOK FOR COUNTY INFORMATION
BROWN COUNTY DEPUTY URGES 2022-23 BIENNIUM p.40 PROGRAM p.46
COLONOSCOPY OVER AGE 50 Revenue drop could affect county Unemployment rates jump due to
p.23 funding. COVID-19.
Healthy County Lunch-and-Learn tip
led to early cancer diagnosis.
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 3
Credits
Photo: Paul S. Wolf at Buchanan Dam, TX
TAC Board of Directors & Magazine Staff
2020 Officers & Board of Directors Magazine Staff
President Laura Hinojosa Randy H. Riggs Publisher
Renee Couch Hidalgo County District Clerk McLennan County Tax Susan M. Redford
Comal County Treasurer Assessor-Collector Executive Director
Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe
President-Elect Hays County Commissioner Chuck Statler Communications Manager
Kim Halfmann Taylor County Commissioner Lisa Trow
Glasscock County Judge Robert D. Johnston
Anderson County Judge Ex Officio Members Managing Editor
Vice President Larry Gallardo Liz Carmack
Nathan Cradduck Stacey Kemp Immediate Past President
Tom Green County Auditor Collin County Clerk Hidalgo County Constable Contributing Writers
Tim Brown, Shiloh Perry, Jorjanna Price,
Secretary Kristen L. Klein NACo Representatives Jody Seaborn, Zelma Smith
Cindy Yeatts Brown Guadalupe County Auditor Jason Brinkley
Denton County Treasurer Cooke County Judge Graphic Design
Carlos B. Lopez David Garcia, Kristen Benavides,
Members Travis County Constable, B. Glen Whitley Eric Rodriguez
Tim Addison Precinct 5 Tarrant County Judge
Yoakum County Commissioner
Gary Maddox
Rick Bailey Lamb County Sheriff
Johnson County On the Cover
Commissioner Jackie Miller Jr. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected
Ellis County Justice of the county operations in Blanco County
Laurie K. English Peace, Precinct 2 and in other counties across the state.
112th District Attorney Photo: Laura Skelding
4 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINE
Executive Director's Report
Contact Us!
We’re here to help.
Staff Directory: county.org/whotocontact
Main number: (800) 456-5974
TAC Helpline: (888) ASK-TAC4
Texas Association of Counties Mission Statement
The mission of the Texas Association of Counties is to unite counties to achieve better solutions.
County, a bimonthly magazine, is distributed to every elected county official and county auditor in Texas’
254 counties. Other readers include purchasing agents, budget and planning administrators, appointed
department heads, state legislators and state agency personnel.
Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, is permissible only upon express written
authorization from the publisher and when proper credit, including copyright acknowledgment, is given
to Texas Association of Counties’ County magazine.
©2020, Texas Association of Counties. Published by the Texas Association of Counties, P.O. Box 2131, Austin, Texas 78768-2131.
Telephone: (512) 478-8753, Facsimile: (512) 478-0519. www.county.org.
Articles in County magazine that refer to issues that could be considered by the Texas Legislature may be interpreted to be “legislative advertising,”
according to Texas Gov’t. Code Ann §305.027. Disclosure of the name and address of the person who contracts with the printer to publish the
COUNTY
legislative advertising in County magazine is required by that law: Susan M. Redford, MAGAZINE
1210 San /JULY-AUGUST
Antonio, Austin, Texas 78701.2020
5
Executive Director's Report
Rusk County Courthouse
6 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINE Photo: Laura Skelding
Executive Director's Report
Is the 2020 Unfunded Mandates Survey on your to-do list?
W
e are asking speaker and pandemic-related statutory changes
once again involving civil and criminal justice system operations.
for your
help in providing the How to complete the survey
Texas Legislature with
This year, we included fewer survey questions in
a clear picture of how
an effort to be mindful of the challenges and time
the state’s unfunded
constraints our members face. Some counties may not
mandates affect county
be able to answer every question, given the variations in
budgets.
how counties track expenditures. We encourage you to
respond to the best of your ability.
The deadline to fill
out TAC’s online 2020
If you are interested, the results of the 2018 survey are
Susan M. Redford
Unfunded Mandates
available on the TAC website. If you need help with this
Executive Director Survey is Nov. 5. TAC
Texas Association of Counties
year’s survey, please email Tim Brown.
sent out the survey to
county auditors and
We at TAC appreciate the work of county elected
to county treasurers in those counties that do not
officials and county employees, especially first
have auditors on June 9. TAC developed the survey
responders, during this very difficult period. I am looking
in collaboration with the Texas Association of County
forward to the proverbial “light at the end of the
Auditors, the County Treasurers’ Association of Texas,
tunnel.” It will be a joy to see our members in person
the Texas Conference of Urban Counties and the
again and to share in your successes. In the meantime,
County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.
thank you for your trust in TAC, and thank you for being
254 strong!
This year in particular, it is very important that we
collect comprehensive information about county
expenditures on unfunded and underfunded state and
federal mandates.
The upcoming legislative session promises to be critical
for local and state government. The session will certainly
be dominated by the economic impact of the pandemic
on the state budget. As our members know all too well,
COVID-19 has already had a tremendous impact on
counties due to unexpected emergency expenses and
shortfalls in revenue collection. That means 2021 will
likely be a very difficult year financially for our counties.
TAC’s Legislative Team has its eye on other legislative
session priorities that no doubt will affect counties.
These include redistricting, elections, a new House
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 7
2020 Regional
Workshops
HUMAN RESOURCES LAW ENFORCEMENT RISK CONTROL
What’s your interest?
Human Resources Law Enforcement
(September & October) (October)
Gain in-depth knowledge about a single subject at our
new, one-day workshops.
REGISTER TODAY!
Visit county.org/regionals to learn more and register.
Clipboard / News You Can Use
Webinars available to all TAC
members at no cost
T
AC members can Recent topics include:
participate in a variety of • Hurricane Preparations During
free webinars presented by COVID-19.
the Texas Association of Counties • Don’t Let Working From Home
Risk Management Pool (TAC RMP). Be a Pain.
• Working Safely Outdoors in the
Each webinar is at least an hour long, Summer Months.
is presented by TAC Risk Management • Telemedicine in Workers’
Services staff and includes a Q&A of previous webinars and can sign Compensation: A Remedy From
session with the presenter. up to receive email alerts about RediMD.
upcoming webinars at www.county. • Considerations for County
Members can find a list of org/Risk-Management/Risk-Control/ Government Operations in
scheduled webinars and recordings Webinars. Response to COVID-19. h
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 9
MENT
ENROLL . 1
PT
OPEN SE
Enrollment Opening Soon for TAC’s Free
State-Mandated Cybersecurity Course
On Sept. 1, 2020, enrollment will open for TAC’s 45-minute
online training course that fulfills the 2021 cybersecurity training
requirement for county employees mandated by Texas House Bill 3834.
Watch for upcoming communications from TAC regarding enrolling for its
certified course, which is certified by the Texas Department of Information
Resources (DIR.) Counties are required to report their compliance
with the training requirement to DIR by June 15 each year.
Learn more about enrolling on Sept. 1 online.
www.county.org/Cybersecurity
To ensure convenient and efficient implementation for Texas counties, TAC is
relying on commissioners courts to enroll their county’s entire staff in the course.Clipboard / News You Can Use
Judicial education moving to the web
I
n response to the COVID-19 register online at
pandemic, the Texas Judicial www.county.org/calendar.
Academy has canceled in-person
trainings and moved educational The online calendar also provides
sessions online in August. details about upcoming judicial
education events, including the Fall
Those trainings include the Virtual Judicial Education Session set for
Impaired Driving Symposium on Aug. Nov. 18-20, 2020, the County Court
3-4, Virtual Guardianship Overview Assistants Training Conference on
on Aug. 4, Virtual All Things Probate Feb. 17-19, 2021, the Spring Judicial
for Clerks on Aug. 5, Virtual Education Session on March 24-26,
Intestate Succession and Detention 2021, and the Probate Academy on
Orders on Aug. 6, a Virtual Judicial Continuing education credits (CEUs) May 12-14, 2021. h
Overview on Aug. 11 and Virtual are available for some attendees.
Criminal Issues on Aug. 13. Check the CEUs and agendas and
TAC RMP Regional Workshops
on human resources move online
Law enforcement regionals remain in person
T
he TAC Risk Management said Michael Shannon, Director of
Pool’s (TAC RMP) one-day TAC Risk Management Services.
Regional Workshops on “We’re providing these discipline-
human resources will be held online specific workshops in direct response
Sept. 29 and Oct. 14. to member requests and to align with
our members’ needs.”
The move aims to help keep members
safe in response to the COVID-19 More details, including agendas
pandemic while continuing to provide and registration, are available
them with the training they need. www.county.org/regionals for on the TAC website at
updates to the schedule. www.county.org/regionals. h
Regional Workshops on law
enforcement, set in October, will “Members can log on to gain in-depth
remain in-person for now. Check knowledge about human resources,”
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 11Providing Technology Services
and Resources to Texas Counties
The Texas Association of Counties County Information
Resources Agency (TAC CIRA) serves counties
and local government by providing technology services
and resources including:
• Website hosting
• Email services
• Website content management
• Website management training
• Informative resources like required website
postings guide and printable best practices posters
• Domain name registration and hosting
• Electronic payment services
For more information on TAC CIRA,
visit county.org/TAC-CIRA
county.org/TAC-CIRA � support@county.org
(800) 456-5974REGISTER TODAY!
Clipboard / News You Can Use
Visit county.org/regionals to choose a workshop near you.
Workshops hosted by TAC RMP member counties.
Willacy County deputy helps injured woman
using TAC RMP-funded safety equipment
Chief Deputy Joe Jimenez said the EMS gets there, we’re already
fast-thinking Robles grabbed the taking care of and evaluating the
tourniquet from a trauma kit in his patient.”
shops Full Page Ad.indd 1 vehicle, one of eight kits the county 6/15/20 10:24 AM
purchased using the SEP funds. This This year, TAC RMP provided more
was the first time the office has than $800,000 in SEP funding
purchased trauma kits for staff. to 203 counties in the Workers’
Compensation Program. The money
Willacy County Sheriff’s Cpl. David Robles “We had a class on basic first aid can be used to purchase road and
Photo: Courtesy Willacy County
and they had those kits,” Jimenez bridge and law enforcement safety
A
Willacy County sheriff’s said. “I did some research and equipment from online stores. h
deputy used safety ordered them. In our community, we
equipment purchased don’t have a hospital, so it’s 23 miles
through the TAC Risk Management to (the hospital in) Harlingen. We’re
Pool’s (TAC RMP) 2019 Safety the first responders. By the time
Equipment Program (SEP) to save
a county resident’s life in April.
Anderson Andrews Angelina Leon Archer Atascosa Austin Bailey Bandera Bastrop Baylor Bee Bell
SPREAD
Blanco Borden Bosque Bowie Brazoria Brazos Brewster Briscoe Brooks Brown Burleson Kinney Burnet
Sheriff’s Cpl. David Robles used a Caldwell Calhoun Callahan Cameron Carson Cass Castro Chambers Cherokee Childress Clay Cochran Coke
o c a l SColorado
combat application tourniquet to n t, L
Coleman Collin Collingsworth olu Comal Comanche Concho Cooke Coryell Cottle Crane Crockett
Crosby Culberson t
i e Dallam Dallas Dawson Jim Wells Deaf Smith Delta Denton DeWitt Dickens Dimmit
stop an accident victim’s bleeding
io
Donley Duval Eastland Edwards El Paso Erath Falls Fannin Fayette Foard Fort Bend Franklin Freestone
fic
THE WORD!
ns
before Willacy County Emergency Gaines Galveston Garza Gillespie Glasscock Goliad Gonzales Gray Grayson Gregg Grimes Guadalupe Hale
tive, Ef
Hamilton Hansford Hardeman Hardin Harris Hunt Bexar Harrison Hartley Haskell Hays Hemphill Henderson
Medical Services arrived. The Hidalgo Hockley Hood Hopkins Houston Howard Hudspeth Hutchinson Irion Upton Fisher Floyd Aransas
woman lost part of her arm in the Jefferson Camp Jim Hogg Armstrong Wilson Johnson JonesLet’s Karnes Kaufman Kendall
work together Kenedy Kent Kerr
to improve
fec
Kimble King Ector Frio Kleberg Knox La Salle Lamar Lamb Lee Loving Lipscomb Llano Lubbock Lynn Titus
automobile accident. understanding of and trust in
Ef
Madison Ellis Hill Marion Martin Mason Matagorda Maverick McCulloch McLennan McMullen Medina
county government.
Live Oak Menard Midland Milam Mills Mitchell Montague Montgomery Morris Hall Motley Nacogdoches
Navarro Newton Nolan Nueces Moore Orange Palo Pinto Panola GetParker
tools Parmer
and ideas at Oldham Pecos
Ochiltree
“We’ve got some dedicated Polk Potter Presidio Rains Randall Reagan Real Red River Reeves Refugio Roberts Robertson Rockwall
www.county.org/texascountiesdeliver.
people,” Sheriff Larry Spence told Runnels Rusk Sabine San Augustine San Jacinto San Patricio San Saba Schleicher Scurry Shackelford
Shelby Sherman Smith Somervell Starr Stephens Sterling Stonewall Sutton Swisher Tarrant Taylor Terrell
the Raymondville Chronicle/News. Terry Throckmorton Tom Green Travis Trinity Tyler Upshur Uvalde Val Verde Van Zandt Victoria Walker
“The first guy there was the right Waller Liberty Ward Wharton Wheeler Wichita Wilbarger Willacy Williamson Jackson Jasper Washington
Jeff Davis Winkler Wise Lampasas Wood Yoakum Limestone Webb Jack Lavaca Young Zapata Zavala
guy there at the right time.” TX Counties Deliver Halfpage Ad.indd 1 12/17/15 6:40 PM
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 13There’s only
one BuyBoard.
And we’ve been helping cities
and counties compliantly purchase
the goods and services they use
every day since 1998.
buyboard.com
Endorsed byAccidents Happen.
“One of our county vehicles was
parked on a hill, but the emergency
brake wasn’t on. Long story short, it’s
not at the top of the hill now, and
there’s no chance of driving it back up
there. Does the court need to declare
it surplus before it’s scrapped?”
But with the TAC Helpline, your day
doesn’t have to be a total loss.
We can get you answers to complicated questions about:
• Tax Appraisals
(888) 275-8224 • Roads and Bridges
TAC HELPLINE • Public Property and Purchasing
Est. 1989 • And so much more!
Give us a call.Clipboard / News You Can Use
Nine historic Texas courthouses receive
over $20 million in restoration grants
T
he Texas Historical applicants with higher revenues.
Commission (THC) announced Emergency grants were based
grant recipients for Round XI “Preserving our Texas primarily upon the score assigned to
of the nationally recognized Texas the endangerment category.
Historic Courthouse Preservation courthouses has always
Program (THCPP) during its June been a priority for the So far, there have been a total of 103
16-17 quarterly meeting in Austin. counties or municipalities that have
The THC awarded matching grants THC. Our courthouse received grant assistance through
totaling $20,038,121 to nine counties grants help counties the program. There are still 30
to aid in preservation of their historic applicants awaiting full restoration
courthouses, including three grants maintain essential funding after receiving planning and
for full restorations. state services and offer emergency grants and another 45
program participants that have not
Callahan, Mason and Taylor counties centerpieces of history yet received any funding at all, with
received construction grants for full a total outstanding need among
restorations.
and culture for visitors participants of over $550 million.
to enjoy.”
Kimble, Washington, Wise and In addition to providing safe and
Willacy counties received planning Mark Wolfe functional buildings, restoration of
grants to be applied toward THC Executive Director historic courthouses benefits the state
the production of construction and local economies. Courthouse
documents for a future application preservation projects have created
to the THCPP for full restoration of more than 11,365 jobs in Texas
their courthouses. those funds were distributed last and generated nearly $650 million
year to counties with unforeseen in revenue. Restored courthouses
Duval and Lee counties received conditions in the form of reinvigorate historic downtowns and
emergency grants to address critical supplemental funding. promote heritage tourism, a $7.3
issues, including the replacement billion industry in Texas.
of an original electrical system and The THC received applications
foundation repairs. from 21 counties requesting over The program has attracted more
$100 million in grants for projects than 136 participants and awarded
“Preserving our Texas courthouses totaling over $175 million. The nearly $315 million to fund the full
has always been a priority for the agency determined grant awards restorations of 73 courthouses and
THC,” said THC Executive Director by assessing 22 criteria, including provide smaller grants to assist with
Mark Wolfe. “Our courthouse grants the building’s age, endangerment, emergency and planning projects to
help counties maintain essential state historical designations, the another 30 counties.
services and offer centerpieces of applicants’ proposals, support for the
history and culture for visitors to enjoy.” project and a new scoring criterion For more information about the
that assesses an applicant’s ability THCPP, visit www.thc.texas.gov/thcpp
The THCPP Round XI grants were to contribute financially toward the or contact Program Coordinator
made possible through a $25 million project. This new criterion, county Susan Tietz at (512) 463-5860. h
appropriation by the 86th Texas revenue, gives applicants with
Legislature. Over $2.5 million of lower revenues more points than
16 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINECallahan County Courthouse. Photo: Wayne Wendel
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NACo connects students
to county government
T
hrough its collaboration with iCivics, the National Association of
Counties (NACo) is helping students learn about the basics of
county government through the County Solutions curriculum, the
online County Works game and the downloadable “My County Works”
workbook.
“With many children home from school,
TAC Education NACo’s civic education resources provide
perfect opportunities to inform young
Events in Light of people about county government and have
fun at the same time,” said NACo Executive
COVID-19 Director Matthew Chase. “It’s never too early for children to start learning
TAC is responding to calls for about civics and how they can help make our communities better places to
slowing the spread of COVID-19 live, work and play.”
by moving some conferences and
seminars online, and by canceling or The curriculum and game,
postponing others. geared for students in
grades 6-12, include lessons
Should there be changes to on civic engagement and the
an event, TAC will contact all role of county government in
registered attendees via email and communities, states and the
post updates at www.county.org/ country. In some sections
calendar. of the curriculum, students
work through the process
TAC is committed to serving its of identifying and finding
members and is making every solutions to community
effort to keep them safe while problems — a very real responsibility of county officials. The game puts
finding opportunities to provide the students, and adults too, in the shoes of a county official. The object of the
educational services they want and game is to successfully navigate the challenges that go with managing a
need. county.
If you have questions, please phone
These educational resources are meant for students, but anyone can learn
Education and Events Services at
from them. They are free and accessible at www.NACo.org/iCivics. This
(800) 456-5974 or visit
webpage also includes a guide to help introduce them to local residents.
www.county.org/calendar.
To learn more about NACo’s other coronavirus-related resources, visit
www.naco.org/covid19. h
18 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEClipboard / News You Can Use
Model policies for law
enforcement available to all
254 counties
A
ll members of the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) have access
at no cost to law enforcement (LE) model policies that cover patrol
and jail operations through a new agreement between TAC and
OSS Academy, a Texas-based provider of policies for emergency services.
The LE Model Policy Program provides all 254 counties access via download
to close to 500 sample model policies for county law enforcement, jail and
communications operations. TAC has provided LE model policies to all Texas
counties since 2014. They were previously provided through an agreement
with Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute.
The policies are updated regularly to meet federal and state laws and
regulations and to provide current and best practices for law enforcement
operations. These updates include requirements promulgated by the Texas
Commission on Jail Standards, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement,
the Texas attorney general and various state codes. In addition, the policies
include guidance from federal and nationally recognized law enforcement
organizations.
Login access provided
Each county sheriff recently received an email from OSS providing website
information and login access for this service. Counties that have questions
should contact the TAC Law Enforcement Consultant for their region. Use
the interactive map at www.county.org/County-Risk-Management-Map to
find your consultant. h
Abilene Amarillo Dallas
325.692.6334 806.373.2826 214.371.7777
Ft. Worth Lubbock Odessa
817.378.0600 806.745.2112 432.333.7000
Waco Oklahoma City Tulsa
254-261-1370 405.495.7820 918.438.1700
McAlester Kansas City St. Louis
918.310.1550 913.850.6300 314.729.0125
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 19required continuing education credit.
Attend at the virtual event rate. Visit
www.county.org/legconference for
more information.
Clipboard / News You Can Use
Register today to reserve your spot.
2020 LEGISLATIVE
CONFERENCE
Aug. 26-28 / Virtual Event
Details set for
2020 LEGISLATIVE
CONFERENCE
2020 Legislative fullpage Ad.indd 1 6/18/20 4:44 PM
Aug. 26-28 virtual
STATE OF CHANGE
Legislative Conference August 26-28 / Austin Fairmont
Google Chrome browser recommended In response to calls to slow the spread of COVID-19, this
to attendees year’s conference will be held online. It will be the same
premier event, just transformed into a virtual experience.
TAC’s 2020 Legislative Conference, set for Aug. 26-28, Attendees will take advantage of keynotes, breakout
will help county officials and staff prepare for and become sessions, roundtables and networking opportunities from
engaged in the upcoming 87th session of the Texas the comfort of their home or office through a virtual
Legislature. conference platform.
The conference brings together hundreds of county How to access the virtual conference platform
officials and staff members to connect with their
Conference attendees will need to access the internet
public servant peers, legislators and subject matter
and use a browser to log in and join the virtual event.
experts about today’s most pressing issues for county
TAC staff recommends using Google Chrome. The
government.
20 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEClipboard / News You Can Use
platform works most smoothly with that browser. Others, The comptroller’s office is committed to ensuring local
such as Firefox, may cause problems. Attendees should government entities in Texas have access to stimulus
not use Internet Explorer. It is not a supported browser for funding information, guidelines and assistance.
the event.
Overview of legislative discussion sessions
Google Chrome is a free download; however, some county By considering current events and the input of county
information technology departments may require county officials from across the state, TAC’s Legislative
staff to get approval before downloading new software. Department has put together a full lineup of timely
breakout sessions featuring policymakers and experts who
Learn more and register at will provide insights and offer solutions and ideas on how
www.county.org/legconference. to better navigate the challenges Texas is facing ahead of
the legislative session.
Texas comptroller to keynote event
As the evolving pandemic The 10 breakout sessions listed below are the centerpiece
of the conference’s learning opportunities. Attendees can
impacts Texans and
customize their conference experience by choosing the
county government on
topics most important to them and their county.
a grand scale, Texas
Comptroller Glenn Hegar
· Behavioral Health During a Crisis: Taking Care of
will address conference
Yourself and Your Community
attendees about how the
· Court Systems Moving Into the Future
coronavirus has impacted
· COVID-19 and the Texas Health Care System
the state’s economy and
· COVID-19 Grant Resources Roundtable
workforce. He will discuss
· Emergency Management: What Should I Know Today?
related revenue issues
· Gearing Up for the November 2020 Election
for the next legislative
· Law Enforcement Response to COVID-19
session and how the local
Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller · Senate Bill 2
of Public Accounts partnership between the
· TAC’s Federal Outreach Initiative
state and counties has
· The 2020 Census and Redistricting in a COVID-19 World
grown and become an integral part of any emergency
management operation.
Virtual exhibit hall
Hegar was elected as Texas comptroller of public accounts This year, exhibitors will share information about their
in November 2014. Hegar is a sixth-generation Texan who products and services for counties, display their latest
grew up farming land that has been in his family since the innovations and connect with attendees in a virtual exhibit
mid-1800s. He is a 1993 graduate of Texas A&M University hall. The online space will also provide information about
and earned his law degree at St. Mary’s University. TAC programs and services.
As comptroller, Hegar is chief finance officer for
Registration online
the world’s 10th-largest economy. He has emerged Visit www.county.org/legconference to register at the
as a passionate advocate for conservative financial virtual conference rate of $100. Registrants will receive
management and government transparency who has details on how to log in and sign on to the conference.
focused on creating a more efficient and customer- TAC will share conference updates via email, the TAC
oriented agency. website, and the TAC Facebook page and Twitter feed. h
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 21Class of 2019-2020
Clipboard / News You Can Use
Accepting applications through
Sept. 18 for Leadership 254,
Class of 2021-22
T
he Texas Association of leaders in the for-profit sector, Leadership skills are advanced
Counties is accepting none for leading a governmental through:
applications for Leadership agency. This program powerfully · Interactive discussion.
254, Class of 2021-22, until Sept. addresses how and why to best · Theory building.
18, 2020. County officials can lead a Texas governmental agency · Skill assessments.
apply online at www.county.org/ and its people,” said Collin County · Experiential learning activities.
leadership254. District Attorney Greg Willis, Class
of 2019-20. Leadership 254 will challenge,
Leadership 254 is designed to stretch and — most importantly —
advance the skills of county officials Through four modules and over the transform participants into leaders
eadership 254 Ad full page ad.indd 2
to enable them to meet the unique
challenges of their duties and to
course of 14 months, participants
learn to overcome their limitations
who positively influence their
counties and Texas.
enhance their leadership skills and to redefine the possibilities they set
style. for themselves, their courthouse, Learn more at
their county official association and www.county.org/leadership254. h
“For years, I’ve listened to a daily their constituents.
diet of leadership-related podcasts,
but almost all are designed for
22 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEClipboard / News You Can Use
Brown County deputy wants you
to know a colonoscopy saved his life;
it can save yours, too
health in Brown County and recipient But thanks to that colonoscopy,
of Healthy County’s inaugural Paula Greg’s cancer was caught at an early
Butler AgriLife Award. When TAC stage, he said. It’s treatable, localized.
Wellness Consultant Mark Zollitsch He was optimistic when interviewed
encouraged members older than 50 for this story — confident, really —
to schedule a colonoscopy and, as an saying he feels sorry for any cancer in
incentive, mentioned that the TAC his body. He plans to beat it soundly.
Health and Employee Benefits Pool
(TAC HEBP) covered the cost, Greg He’s also grateful for the colonoscopy
thought, “Why not?” advice he heard back in January. It’s
why he felt compelled to share his
He discussed it with his doctor story with County magazine. He wants
during a physical exam and had to encourage other TAC members
the colonoscopy in April. Courtney to take advantage of the chance to
Brown County Deputy Greg Parrott had been asked to wait outside the prevent cancer or find it before it’s too
Photo: Courtesy Greg Parrott building during the procedure because late. You just never know.
of COVID-19 protocols, so Greg knew
G
reg Parrott is a veteran law something was up when he woke up “If I didn’t really give a colon
enforcement officer with to find his wife sitting in the recovery screening a second thought,” he said,
the Brown County Sheriff’s room. The gastroenterologist had “how many more of us out there are
Office. He’s active and stays in shape. found a suspicious growth; a biopsy in the same boat? How many county
He’s never smoked. He’s always confirmed cancer. Surgery in mid-May, employees, county law enforcement
been healthy. So though he’s over just a couple of days before Greg’s officers? How many don’t know that
50, the age when health experts 55th birthday, removed the tumor. their county insurance through TAC
recommend you should get screened will pay for it?” h
for colorectal cancer, he never gave “I experienced no symptoms and
getting a colonoscopy a second never knew there was something
thought. inside me trying to kill me,” he said. TAC HEBP members can find a
provider in their area to schedule
That was before he attended a Any cancer diagnosis is scary. And a colonoscopy screening at
Texas Association of Counties (TAC) colon cancer can be one of the mybenefits.county.org.
Healthy County Lunch-and-Learn scarier. About 148,000 Americans will
session with his wife, Courtney, a be diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service this year, according to the American
agent for family and community Cancer Society. About 53,000 will die.
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 23Clipboard / News You Can Use
End
Is safe, compliant
online government
purchasing possible?
By Joel Nihlean, Content Marketing Manager, Texas Association of School Boards
B
ig changes are coming to the cooperative purchasing experience Internet retailers moving
BuyBoard® online platform available today. Just a simple online into public procurement has
soon. These significant shopping platform to connect you
experts concerned
upgrades will bring the ease of to vetted, compliant contracts
online shopping to government with vendors you can trust,” said For more than 20 years, BuyBoard
procurement while maintaining the Brian Bolinger, associate executive has been one of the best ways
legal compliance counties expect. director of business services at the for counties and other local
Texas Association of School Boards. governments to save time and
The new platform will be a welcome money while staying compliant
change for local government The August upgrade means local in their procurement. As internet
procurement staff who are looking governments will have another edge giants and online retailers who have
for public transparency and the in saving taxpayer dollars. County traditionally focused on consumer
confidence that they can find officials and procurement staff goods have entered the government
the best price through the online interested in getting a look at the purchasing market, experts have
system. new platform before it launches raised concerns about legal
can visit www.buyboard.com/new compliance and other issues.
“With the new BuyBoard, the local to sign up for an invitation to an
government procurement and exclusive preview.
buying experience will be unlike any
24 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEClipboard / News You Can Use
The report also raises concerns staff will find what they need quickly
about the long-term effects of local and will shop with confidence. The
“With the new BuyBoard, governments shifting their spending new BuyBoard platform includes:
the local government away from local office supply • Thousands of items that have
companies, or from chains that have already gone through a competitive
procurement and buying local locations, to multinational public procurement process.
experience will be online retailers who have moved their • Advanced keyword search and
unlike any cooperative tax obligations offshore. The shift, filtering options that allow users
according to the ILSR, contributes to to browse by product, vendor or
purchasing experience
the erosion of the local tax base. contract and to quickly sort and
available today. Just a compare results.
simple online shopping BuyBoard brings compliant • A transparent procurement
platform to connect you online shopping to the public experience where users can see
list prices, BuyBoard discounts and
to vetted, compliant procurement process
product price comparisons across
contracts with vendors With budgets tight, staff sizes vendors.
you can trust.” small and time always at a premium, • Top-notch customer service,
simplicity, transparency and meticulous attention to compliance
Brian Bolinger confidence in compliance can make and request for quote and purchase
Associate Executive Director of the difference. order processess for the 21st
Business Services, Texas century.
Association of School Boards All 254 counties in Texas are required
to follow procurement law. The BuyBoard was created specifically to
process of do-it-yourself procurement support and serve county governments,
can be labor-intensive. The work public schools, cities and other local
A 2018 report from the Institute for includes the following actions: government agencies. The goal is to
Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) outlined a • Researching specifications of the provide competitive pricing, a trusted
series of concerns, including: product needed. and transparent procurement process,
• Dynamic pricing (constantly • Writing a request for proposal bid. reduced administrative costs and
changing prices), which means • Advertising to solicit responses. superior service.
popular internet retailers can fail • Receiving and evaluating responses,
to secure the best price for local including checking references. BuyBoard is endorsed by the Texas
governments and lack pricing • Recommending the vendor Association of Counties, Texas
protections that are standard in offering the best value to the Municipal League, Texas Association
public procurement. commissioners court. of School Administrators and Texas
• Slower delivery times for local • Awarding the contract. Association of School Boards. The
governments because of the cooperative is also a strategic partner
terms of service offered by online There are additional special rules for with the Texas Association of School
retailers. construction procurement. Business Officials.
• Contracts that adopt the online A simple, economical way to make
retailers’ own terms and conditions sure your county’s purchasing is Visit www.buyboard.com/new to
over local governments’ in a compliant is to take advantage of a learn more about the launch of the
way that compromises public cooperative purchasing organization. new BuyBoard and sign up for an
transparency. With BuyBoard, county procurement invitation to an exclusive preview. h
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 25Voices of County Government
Jamie Smith
Jefferson County District Clerk
office for the Hon. Carolyn Guidry clerk. First, the morale of the
as her office administrator from office was low due to the fact that
2005 through 2015. I also served my predecessor, the Hon. Lolita
on the Beaumont City Council as Ramos, lost her battle to cancer
the representative for Ward 4 from while in office. The second issue
2007 to 2014. I was a math teacher, was updating the way the office
worked in the sheriff’s office and functioned. We began by cross-
served my country in Desert Storm training and giving defined roles
from 1990 to 1994. My interest in within the office. Another challenge
running for office was to better was changing the structure of the
serve my community. office by dividing into departments
and setting a hierarchy within each
What was your biggest surprise department. The main thing that
or adjustment after taking made the adjustments easy was due
office? to the great co-workers that I have
Having previously served in the office. My co-workers
on the City Council for are outstanding, dedicated,
How long have you been Beaumont and working compassionate and willing
district clerk? in the county clerk’s to serve the citizens of
office, I had an idea Jefferson County.
I began my first term as Jefferson
of what was expected The advice that I would
County district clerk in January
when I took the office of give to a newly elected
2015. So I have been blessed to
district clerk. official would be for them
serve as Jefferson County district
to be flexible and take time
clerk for five years, entering my
What are some of the most to study the function of the office
second term.
difficult challenges you have before making changes and, most
faced and what advice would importantly, talk to your co-workers
Before you won election,
you give your peers across the and listen to their suggestions. That
what kind of work did you do?
state who may face similar was the first thing that I did, which
How did you get interested in
challenges? helped us to implement a four-year
running for office?
There were several challenges plan of improvement within the
Before being elected district clerk, district clerk’s office.
when I began my term as district
I worked in the county clerk’s
26 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEVoices of County Government
revenue for the county, and we What do you do when you’re
began using I-Jury, which saved the not at work? Do you have any
“The advice that I would county some money. hobbies or something unique
give to a newly elected that you are interested in that
I mentioned two, but there is may surprise your colleagues?
official would be for them another accomplishment that I When I am not at work, my favorite
to be flexible and take would like to brag about on behalf hobby is playing golf with my
time to study the function of our office. We volunteer a lot of friends. It is a good way to exercise
our time to various organizations and eliminate stress.
of the office before within the county. We assist with
making changes and, back-to-school drives, Gift of Life, What is your favorite thing
most importantly, talk to YMBL Rodeo, Southeast Texas Food about Jefferson County?
Bank, the American Cancer Society,
your co-workers and listen LifeShare blood drives, senior citizen
The diversity of the county and how
we come together when faced with
to their suggestions.” events, Save Our Children and
tragedy. h
various veterans’ clinics and events.
Jamie Smith
Jefferson County District Clerk What do you find are the most
successful methods for reaching
out to the residents of Jefferson
County to communicate what
Since taking office, what your office is doing and why?
accomplishment are you most
proud of? Our office uses all forms of media
to reach out to our citizens, such
There are so many things that we
as Facebook, Instagram, posting
changed and updated within the
on our website, newspapers and
office; it is difficult to pick just
television. However, one of the most
one. The two biggest things were
successful means is word of mouth.
that our office began processing
passports, which generated new
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COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 27LegalEase: Public health and safety during elections
One of the Texas Association of Counties’ (TAC) guiding principles is to help you meet the unique
challenges of local government. LegalEase is a monthly email to county officials highlighting timely
topics that affect county government. We hope you find it helpful and occasionally entertaining. Select
questions and answers from those emails are featured here in County magazine.
With upcoming elections and the “Although there’s been a lot of rain safety hazard that would be
uncertainty of COVID-19, what recently in certain regions of Texas, exacerbated by outdoor burning. For
protocols should the county be my county has remained dry. How more detailed information, please
following for public heath and do we know when circumstances see our Burn Ban, Regulation of
safety? warrant the adoption of a burn ban?” Fireworks, and Declaration of Local
Disaster handbook.
Q: Due to COVID-19, what Q: How can the county obtain a
protocols should voters and drought determination from the “The County Purchasing Act can take
election officials follow during Texas Forest Service? a long time, and during a disaster
elections? declaration or emergency situations
A: To obtain a determination,
A: On May 27, 2020, the Secretary the county can’t afford to waste any
visit the Texas Interagency
of State Elections Division issued time. Are there exceptions to the Act
Coordination Center’s website or
a notice about health protocols for for emergencies?”
call (936) 875-4786. On the website,
voters and elections. TAC continues you will find new drought web links Q: Must the county comply
to update the elections section to assist the county in monitoring with the County Purchasing Act
of our Legal Resources for County drought conditions more closely. during an emergency?
COVID-19 Response webpage as
new information becomes available. Alternatively, Local Government A: Texas Local Government Code
You can also call the TAC Helpline at Code §352.081 authorizes the §262.024 contains a list of items that
(888) 275-8224 and one of our Legal commissioners court to make a may be exempted from competitive
Services staff will be happy to assist finding that circumstances present bidding if the commissioners court
you. in all or part of the unincorporated by order grants the exemption,
areas of the county create a public including for a public calamity and
28 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINESocial Media Roundup
These are recent top posts on TAC's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Like TAC on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/TexasCounties and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TexasCounties. Follow us
on Instagram at www.instagram.com/texascounties.
for public health and safety. For Q: May a county perform work
more detailed information, please on a private road? HAVE LEGAL QUESTIONS?
see TAC’s Basics of the County TAC’s Legal Services Department is
Purchasing Act and Competitive A: It depends on the county’s here to help. Call the Legal Helpline
Bidding handbook. population. If the county’s population at (888) ASKTAC4 or (888) 275-8224
exceeds 7,500, it cannot repair or or visit www.county.org/helpline to
“A landowner is willing to trade good maintain a private road or property get assistance with legal research or
rock in exchange for one of our road under Texas Constitution, Article III, to get more information about legal
crews to do some work on his private Section 52f. For more information, deadlines.
road. Can the county barter work see our Common Road and Bridge
on a private road for road material Questions publication. h You can also find resources online.
quarried from the site where the There’s a wide variety of up-to-date
road is located?” legal publications, a legal calendar,
disaster resources, AG opinions and
more at www.county.org/legal.
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 29Blanco County jailer Jim Gray wears a face mask and gloves during his shift as part of county jail protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo: Laura Skelding 30 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINE
Cover Story
Keeping the
peace during
a pandemic
By Jorjanna Price
A
new day in law enforcement unfolded when out, primarily by releasing inmates with low bails or
the coronavirus took hold in Texas counties. misdemeanor charges. Statewide, the number of county
Officers who normally enter a house to jail inmates fell from about 68,300 on March 1 to 55,600
investigate a call began asking residents to step outside by the beginning of May.
in the fresh air for interviews. Rural residents finding
minor vandalism on their property discovered the That swift drop “is not anything I’ve seen before,”
sheriff’s office taking criminal mischief reports by phone said Brandon Wood, executive director of the Texas
rather than in person. Commission on Jail Standards. The sharply reduced jail
population reflected a slowdown in arrests as people
After arrest, many suspects now undergo checks for stayed indoors and counties accelerated the release of
coronavirus symptoms before stepping into a detention eligible individuals, he said.
center. Once inside, their information might be gathered
by an employee covered from head to toe in protective Inmate numbers could have dropped lower, but state
gear. During pretrial appearances, defendants face a prisons dealing with the rapidly spreading coronavirus
judge via online video rather than in a courtroom. halted intake in early April, leaving about 4,000 prison-
bound felons in county custody, Wood said.
This year’s COVID-19 pandemic sent county sheriffs and
jail staff members scrambling because the virus proved While some state prisons became hot spots for the
to be highly contagious. Staffs had to be trained in coronavirus, most county jails fared better. Of Texas’
new safety protocols, and crowded jails were thinned 240 county jails, both public and private, 57 have
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 31Cover Story
reported one or more cases of coronavirus-positive inmates By reducing inmate numbers and providing protective
since February, Wood reported at time of publication. gear to deputies and detention officers, Chambers
Inmates confirmed as positive are isolated and treated by County escaped any coronavirus cases in jail or among
the local health department. As of mid-July, there were staff. “What we’ve done seems to have worked,” he
five inmate deaths attributed to COVID-19. noted.
The Commission on Jail Standards has issued guidelines One change for the better has been a hyperfocus on
to county sheriffs throughout the pandemic and has cleanliness. Hawthorne said that sanitation is a top
offered, along with the Texas Division of Emergency priority and that extra time is spent cleaning dormitories
Management, to conduct medical tests at jails. and common areas of the jail, from the kitchen to the
booking area.
Chambers County “This practice will continue,” he said. “It’s not that
Early in the pandemic, Chambers County issued strict burdensome, and I don’t know why we wouldn’t.”
stay-at-home orders. Juveniles were told to stay home
day and night, and adults were allowed out only for
work and essential chores. With the streets of Anahuac Lubbock County
and surrounding communities generally quiet, deputies While the coronavirus presented new challenges, law
used to chasing felons and speeders found themselves enforcement has always had to be on alert to potential
issuing citations for parties and crawfish boils because contagions, such as the flu and even tuberculosis. “It’s
large gatherings violated the curfew. a fine line we have to follow to get the job done safely
and still do the things we have to do every day,” Lubbock
The quarantine also brought more domestic violence County Sheriff Kelly Rowe said. “Officers on a daily basis
calls. “People were spending time together they would
not normally spend, and they were using a lot of
alcohol,” Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. “I’m told beer and
retail liquor sales were at an all-time high.”
Chambers County’s jail population dropped from 150 to
114 as officials moved quickly to scale down the ranks of
the confined. It was a team effort, Hawthorne said, with
the courts and justices of the peace reducing bail and
the district attorney’s office offering plea agreements
for lesser crimes.
“We knew reducing the jail population for the purpose
of the virus wouldn’t be popular with our constituents.
Ultimately, you’re letting out people who may continue Lubbock County Detention Center personnel now wear
protective gear similar to hazmat suits during the intake
as misdemeanor criminals. It’s all a calculated risk,” he
process. Steps such as fingerprinting and other booking
said, adding that no violent criminals were considered procedures require staff to be in close proximity to incoming
for release. inmates. Everyone taken into custody is screened for symptoms
of the coronavirus. (The suspect’s face has been obscured.)
Photo: Courtesy Lubbock County Detention Center
32 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINECover Story
find themselves in the most awful places imaginable, so we
already had a practice for the best protection possible.”
But even with enhanced safety precautions for
COVID-19, “just the act of handcuffing someone puts
you in closer than is recommended,” he said.
This spring, Lubbock County began screening people
under arrest before they stepped into the detention
center. Anyone with a fever or other symptoms goes
to a hospital for further testing. The same screening
applies to all department employees, including Rowe.
Jail employees wear masks and gloves, and some are A Blanco County jail trustee disinfects a jail cell door under the
in high-level protective gear similar to hazmat suits oversight of sheriff’s Deputy Shelli Maly. Photo: Laura Skelding
because they get near inmates during fingerprinting and
other intake procedures. rural Blanco County. The sheriff accepts only violent
offenders, and those are quarantined in jail for 14 days.
The sheriff said the typical number of arrests, 55 to 60 a
day, dropped by almost half in the spring, generally due Jackson has become a fan of holding attorney
to a slowdown in gang activity and law enforcement’s conferences by video and wants that practice to
minimizing of public contact. By summer, however, crime continue after business returns to normal. “Now defense
and apprehensions had returned to their usual levels. attorneys can’t make excuses that they don’t have the
time or money to come here and visit. They can do it by
Blanco County computer,” he said. “From now on these cases shouldn’t
be dragging on and on.”
With cleanliness a priority, the Blanco County Sheriff’s
Office received help from neighbors who normally
produce whiskey and rum. “There are six distilleries
in this county, and all have gone to producing hand
sanitizer,” Sheriff Don Jackson said. “There must be a
bottle of sanitizer every 10 feet in this building.”
Jackson was so serious about social distancing and
preventing the coronavirus from reaching inmates and
staff in Johnson City that he not only limited visits to
inmates, as ordered by the state, but he also locked
the front doors of the building and required attorneys,
clergy, family and friends to speak to prisoners online.
“We’re not allowing any of the outside in,” he summed up.
Jailer Jim Gray, wearing a face mask and gloves, pats down an
As of early July, his 49-bed jail had only 20 inmates, most inmate in the Blanco County Jail, while jailer Jared Arp stands at
of whom were behind bars before the pandemic reached least 6 feet away. Photo: Laura Skelding
COUNTY MAGAZINE / JULY-AUGUST 2020 33Cover Story
Collin County County jail population statewide, 2020
Realizing the vulnerability of his jail to the spread of
COVID-19, Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner put out an Jan. 65,825
early call to area police chiefs, asking them to use their
Feb. 68,012
best judgment, consistent with public safety, in making
arrests and bringing people to the county detention March 68,307
facility. Then he told his deputies to “patrol as normal”
the 500 square miles in the unincorporated areas of April 58,254
Collin County but to avoid handshakes and keep their
May 55,622
distance when interacting with residents.
June 59,713 (63.5% of jail capacity)
Those precautions and others greatly helped to reduce
the risk of spread, he said. mid-July 61,469 (65.4% of jail capacity)
The number of inmates in county jails fell sharply after the coronavirus
Now Skinner has realized that the pandemic has altered appeared in Texas. But as cities began to reopen, criminal activity
how counties will need to meet their responsibilities resumed.
in caring for prisoners and providing safe, suitable Source: Texas Commission on Jail Standards
jails. “Sheriffs will likely have to institute permanent
new procedures on screening, testing and segregating
inmates, also procedures to improve social distance and
Coronavirus cases (as of July 15, 2020)
enhanced cleanliness,” he said.
Inmates confirmed to be positive 1,962
Skinner further predicts more extensive telehealth and
telemental health services “may become the standard” Inmates awaiting test results 1,446
in county jails. h
Inmates quarantined/isolated
9,139
(not active)
Inmates being treated offsite
11
(active COVID-19)
Confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 5
Jailers confirmed as positive 554
Jailers isolated pending test results 347
Source: Texas Commission on Jail Standards
34 JULY-AUGUST 2020 / COUNTY MAGAZINEYou can also read
