Jasper County Commissioners Court

The Jasper County Commissioners Court met on Monday, April 21, 2025 in a Regular Session and covered the following agenda items:

First, the Court considered a request made Sara Alcala, a board member with the Piney Woods Youth Soccer League, for authorization to install a security light pole on Jasper County’s property near the Bell Field Airport at the league’s expense.

The Court noted that although the area north of U.S. 190 was technically outside of the designated runway protection zone, children and parents utilizing the field for soccer practice and games were directly under the flight path of aircraft taking off and landing.

After a brief discussion, the Court agreed to authorize the Piney Woods Youth Soccer League to coordinate with the Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative to install the utility pole and security light under the condition that the league would work with the Court to look into migrating the soccer fields to another county-owned area not within a flight path on the other side of the airport.

Next, the Court heard from Sheriff Chuck Havard and Chief Deputy Larry Pulliam Jr., who presented the monthly Jail report, advising that Jasper County had invoiced a total of $14,565.00 for housing inmates from Nacogdoches and Newton Counties, as well as the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the City of Jasper during the month of March, 2025, which the Court accepted.

Concluding law enforcement business, the Court voted to approve a contract between Jasper County, the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the company SylogistGov, Inc. for the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service program at the Jasper County Jail.

This service is grant funded through the Office of the Attorney General at no cost to Jasper County and allows for victims of major crimes to be notified when a suspect has been released on bond and also serves to assist the general public in receiving information regarding arrests and the release of inmates and those for which a protective order has been filed.

The Court then took up the topic of the Jasper County Heritage Festival and noted that the Jasper County Historical Museum had locked in a firm date for the event as May 2, 2026. The Court voted to approve access to the County Courthouse and Square for the first Heritage Festival to be held. Further information will be released as additional plans for the festival are confirmed.

In other business, the Court discussed the topic of temporarily filling a board member position on an Emergency Services District board of directors until such time as the originally appointed board member could return to serve. The Court received information from District Attorney Anne Pickle, who advised that although the Court appointed the board members to fulfill terms on the ESD boards, there was no avenue for the Court to make a temporary appointment in the middle of a term while the original member was still listed as a board member. The Court advised that they appreciated the assistance from Ms. Pickle and opted to take no action.

In other business, the Court heard from District Clerk Rosa Norsworthy, who presented her monthly civil and criminal fee reports and from Deputy County Treasurer Brenda Harding who provided the monthly finance report, both of which the Court approved.

Concluding business, the Court considered the upcoming expiration of the local Disaster Declaration established during Hurricane Beryl. The Court noted that all federal relief operations for this storm appeared to have concluded and opted to allow the Declaration to expire without renewal.

That covers it for this Court meeting. Have a great week, and as always, feel free to give me a call if you need anything my way.

Mark Allen, County Judge

Jasper County, Texas