Over the previous years, Freestone County has had a mutual aid agreement with the Oakwood Police Department for their assistance in a very small portion of Freestone County as the city limit line and police station are nearby, offering quick response.

Earlier this year, when the agreement came up for renewal, Oakwood PD attended Commissioners Court to talk about making an interlocal agreement. Over several meetings, discussions were held about the need or lack of their service, liability, and the like.

Oakwood Chief of Police, Ryan Cate, read letters from Oakwood residents explaining why they think the agreement should continue and asking why Commissioners would be against it.

“I don’t feel it’s necessary,” explained Freestone County Sheriff, Jeremy Shipley. “Just because you don’t see deputies, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. We are going to handle what needs to be handled every time.”

As far as liability is concerned, County Attorney, Brian Evans, explained that liability is a tricky matter, and that if there were to be an incident, most likely, liability would fall on both parties.

“I don’t know why the Sheriff has an issue with this,” questioned Chief Cate. “The citizens want, need, and appreciate us, and they want us there.”

Commissioner P3, Lloyd Lane, made a motion to accept the new agreement with Commissioner P2, Will McSwane seconding the motion.

Commissioners P1, Andy Bonner, and P4, Clyde Ridge voted against the motion. County Judge, Linda Grant, made the tie breaking vote in favor of the agreement.

“I believe it should be left to the Sheriff,” explained Commissioner Ridge. “He’s the highest ranking and it’s his responsibility.”

During the March 5th meeting, new Constable P2, Jake Fitch, requested that Commissioners allow him to accept a volunteer Reserve Deputy to assist him in certain duties. This officer would not be a paid employee but would be required to go through the same hiring process as if they were. They would be able to assist anywhere in the county as requested, at no charge to the County.

Commissioner McSwane stated “I’m not really in favor of this. We’ve never had this situation in the past and we don’t know where it would lead down the road. Next, they’ll be asking the county to provide equipment for them.”

Judge Grant advised that the Commissioners “look into it a little more before voting.”

During the March 19th meeting, Constable Fitch reiterated his request and the fact that it was at no cost to the county to allow the volunteer Reserve Deputy.

No motion was made to accept or approve his request, effectively denying the request.

Commissioners voted to approve the use of an app for Freestone County fire departments. This app, called Active 911, is a way for firefighters to keep track of their times, reduces radio traffic with dispatch, calls go directly to the phones, provides map to the location on the phone or device, and shows hydrant locations nearby.

Streetman and Southern Oaks fire departments already use the service through Navarro County and therefore Freestone County would not have to pay for their service, but they would be linked into Freestone County. Cost for all other departments would be approximately $3,795.00 total, which covers 275 devices at $13.80 per device, per year.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the request.

Other items approved during the March meetings include:

–Minutes from previous meetings.

–Bill Pay

–Reports from various County offices

–Payroll

–Special Road Use Agreements, Contracts, Permits and Bonds

–Sale of fireworks for San Jacinto Day, which is April 21, 2025

–The replat of Lots 4 & 5, 1.77 Acres of the J. Thomas Survey A-603

–Purchase of car and body cameras for Constables P2 and P3.

–A grant match for fear for the Teague Fire Department in the amount of $27,500 of which $25,000 would be reimbursed by the grant monies. In essence, only costing the County $2,000.