Court hears report from Sheriff Greenwell
The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting last Monday morning hearing from Sheriff Steven Greenwell regarding his first 100 day administration report.
Greenwell, who took over as the new county sheriff in January highlighted the progress of his administration over the last three and a half months.
Greenwell listed four areas his administration has undertaken that included the LCSO staff, the jail, the dispatch team and security of the courts.
Regarding the work his staff, who include the patrol officers and the criminal investigation division, Greenwell said, “One of our main focuses is to keep our roadways and communities safe. We believe we can do that by enforcing our traffic laws and making traffic stops. Our belief is that by focusing on the small things often eliminates the need to focus on the larger things.”
The second area Greenwell reported on involved the jail.
He reported the average daily population of inmates at the jail is 38 inmates.
“The majority of them have been convicted or charged with felony crimes,” Greenwell said.
Regarding the LCSO dispatch team, Greenwell said they have eight dispatchers and one supervisory dispatcher.
“I am happy to say we’re fully staffed at dispatch,” Greenwell said. “We have worked hard in making sure our employees are comfortable behind their consoles. Dispatchers are truly the first of the first responders.”
The last area Greenwell spoke about was courtroom security.
“We have completely revamped the model previously used to provide courtroom security,” Greenwell said. “We’ve copied the model used by many courts, counties and courtrooms. We now have a team dedicated solely to the safety and security of our courts, our courtrooms, and our county buildings where most of our county employees work.”
Greenwell said his goal is in creating a team of law enforcement professionals who rival any in the state of Texas.
“The men and women of the Lavaca County Sheriff ’s Office have enthusiastically embraced the challenge of taking on my values, visions and principles,” Greenwell said. “They are dedicated public servants, hard working and principal professionals.”
Regarding action items related to the LCSO, the court approved a bond for Peter M. Cenotti, deputy sheriff.
In addition, the court also approved the seventh amendment to interlocal cooperation agreement between counties and cities associated with Operation Lone Star for law enforcement services.
The court also approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Homeland Security Investigations and Lavaca County for the reimbursement of joint operation expenses from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
Elections
Lavaca County elections administrator Tenia Hudson reported that her department will be holding elections this year that include City of Hallettsville and both the Moulton and Shiner ISDs.
Hudson said early voting for all three entities will be held at the Courthouse Annex Building in Hallettsville.
The election day is May 3 with the City of Hallettsville election at the Annex, while the Shiner ISD will take place at the Hoffie and Lank Public Library in Shiner and the Moulton ISD election held at the Moulton Community Center.
Hudson also reported that the Lavaca County elections department received an outstanding rating from a recent League of Women Voters of Texas review for providing accurate, accessible and useful voter information on a safe and secure election.
She said their rating score on the November 2024 general election was 96. In 2020 general election the rating score was 62.
Miscellaneous
The court approved a tower lease agreement between the county and Hallettsville Communications.
The agreement involves the county-owned tower located near 2760 Highway 90-A East.
The court approved the TAC Health Employee Benefits Interim COBRA administration agreement.
Regarding bids for the purchase of seal coating and resealing for Lavaca County roads, the court awarded the bid to H and C Construction of Shiner.
In other action taken by the court:
• Tabled a Lavaca County Medical Insurance Policy – day one coverage and reimbursement with Medical Insurance Policy Acknowledge form.
• Tabled a disposition of real property formerly known as CR 391 consisting of a .22 acre tract of land and a .65 acre tract of land located in Sweet Home.
• Approved the Lavaca County Historical Commission appointee roster for the term of 2025-26.
• Approved a certificate of exemption from subdivision requirements for Duke and Laura Steen.
• Declared two Ford F-250 4x2 crew cab pickups as surplus property for Pct. 4.
County judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting.