Lavaca County Commissioners Court

Court holds regular meeting

  • Lavaca County Pct. 1 road and maintenance employee Donald Muehr was presented a retirement plaque at the Monday morning Commissioners’ Court meeting. Muehr is retiring after 20 years of service to the county. Presenting the plaque is Pct. 1 commissioner Edward Pustka (left). Photo by Jimmy Appelt
    Lavaca County Pct. 1 road and maintenance employee Donald Muehr was presented a retirement plaque at the Monday morning Commissioners’ Court meeting. Muehr is retiring after 20 years of service to the county. Presenting the plaque is Pct. 1 commissioner Edward Pustka (left). Photo by Jimmy Appelt

    The Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting Monday morning discussing the budget and tax rate process, county road bond and routing agreement as well as addressing various county matters.

    The court heard from Wayne Faircloth, who spoke about the problems he’s been having with an oil field company repairing CR 244.

    Faircloth said he feels he is at a distinct disadvantage because he is by himself, while the oil company has a team of lawyers that find ways to get out of maintaining the road.

    “The road bond/road use permit says the oil company is to maintain the road and return it to a state it was originally,” Faircloth said.

    Faircloth suggested that the county should have its attorneys reread the permit and see if any loophole can be closed preventing the oil company from finding a way to get out of repairing the road.

    The court also discussed the budget and tax rate budget process.

    A separate article appears in this week’s paper regarding their discussion.

    Special Meeting

    The court decided to approve the Aug. 11 regular meeting to be held in the Annex Courtroom.

    The purpose of the move of the meeting is so the court can tour and inspect the Annex facilities, including the newly acquired property at 400 N. Texana St. at the end of the meeting.

    Agenda Postings

    The court discussed an upcoming state mandate that changes agenda postings from a 72- hour notice to a 3-business day notice.

    The mandate may affect the court and operations and consider changing meeting dates in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

    The court decided to address this matter at the next meeting.

    Equipment Purchases

    The court approved a quote from Atmax Equipment, a Buy Board contractor, to purchase a Gen 4 Mower/Max Boom mower for $327,731,08 for Pct. 2.

    In addition, the court also approved a quote from Atmax for the purchase of a 2024 New Holland Powerstar tractor. The retail price of the tractor is $109,397 with a discount of $32,819.10. The total cost for the purchase is $81,773.90. The tractor will replace an old tractor for Pct. 2.

    In other action taken by the court:

    • Approved a 2026 Wildlife Damage Management agreement and Predator Control Field agreement between Texas Wildlife Damage Management Association and the county.

    • Declared a 2009 Toshiba E Studio 225 printer from the IT department as surplus property.

    • Approved out-of-state travel for the IT department to attend Genetic Training.

    • Presented a retirement plaque to Pct. 1 road and maintenance department employee Donald Muehr for 20 years of service.

    • Approved the transfer of a Ford F-150 pickup from the LCSO to Pct. 2.

    • Approved the transfer of a 2020 Ford Explorer from the LCSO to judge’s office.

    • Approved all consent agenda items.

    County judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting.