County Commissioner's Meeting Notes - August 3, 2026 The County Commissioner's meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by County Judge Jody Fauley. All four Commissioners were present as well as the County Clerk, County Treasurer and the County Sheriff.
The first item on the agenda was regarding the possible hiring of a Lawn Care Service to maintain the grounds at all county buildings. Judge Fauley stated that it was placed to begin a discussion as the maintenance employees at the courthouse were finding it difficult to do all that was needed and the current equipment was old and insufficient.
He proposed soliciting bids to see what kind of costs would be associated with a contract so that an informed decision could be made in the future. No action was taken.
The next item was regarding action needed to conduct Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training for CY2026 for all County email users. Court Administrator Callie Uptain explained that this was necessary due to new state legislation requiring it be implemented, and she needed approval from the Commissioner's Court to begin arrangements for the training, which was to be at no cost to the county this year. Motion passed unanimously to begin the training process.
Next was a Resolution for SB3, which allows the county to apply for up to $1.25 million in flood safety enhancements, as approved by the legislature due to the July 2025 floods. The county was required to sign and submit a resolution as part of its application. Motion passed unanimously to sign the resolution.
Regarding the agenda item on an On-Site Sewage Facility in the Bend, this item was tabled as no additional reporting from the county inspector had been received at the time of the meeting.
The Burn Ban was to remain In Effect as continued by unanimous vote.
At 9:30 a.m., the Commissioners began a video conference with Mr. Nik Simonson on the agenda item to decide if the county would contract for FEMA Flood Recovery Services. The flood recovery is entering Phase 2, and Mr. Simonson's company, Disaster Recovery Services (DRS) had a contract with the county to assist and consult on Phase 1.
The various projects budgeted in Phase 2 would provide approximately $5.1 million in FEMA funds and an additional $342,699 for management costs to the county. The discussion included expectations on when the projects would all be approved, when FEMA money would be obligated and when the projects would eventually be closed out by the state. Mr. Simonson's company would be up to $165,000 for consultation with and assistance to the county for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, saving time and money for the county. A motion to contract with DRS for FEMA Flood Recovery Services for Phase 2 passed unanimously.
In Departmental Reports, most were routine with the Treasurer stating she had added two new Funding lines, a Special Reserve Fund for Community Block Development Grant we received and a second Fund for the Ambulance Grant.
The Jail report was 350 days with an average of 11.29.
The next Commissioner's Court meeting is August 10th at 9 a.m. following a Budget Workshop at 8:00 a.m. Also, the previously scheduled meeting date of the 24th was moved to the 17th.