A Public Hearing was held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, during the Commissioners’ Court meeting for the County Clerk to present her request for the Archive Fund. Her office is asking for $10 per document recorded to go into the Archive Fund and for the County to continue paying for the record scanning project at $48,000 per year. This project consists of scanning documents from 1933-1958 to be available online to the public for $1 per page. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the request.

A similar Public Hearing was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, during a Special Called meeting of the Commissioners Court, to hear a request from the District Clerk for funds for the continuation of the Preservation and Restoration Plan for 2026. The request is ‘the same as last year.’ Commissioners voted to approve the request.

Freestone County Election Office informed Commissioners of a new voting law that takes effect on December 1, 2025, which states that early voting locations must also be Voting Day locations. Due to this change, Early Voting & Election Day voting for Teague will be at the Civic Center instead of First Baptist Church.

During the August 20th meeting, Commissioners voted to approve the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget. Within the budget, State required raises were given to District Judges and Court Reporters, and some employees will receive longevity pay. No other employees will receive a raise in the FY 2026 budget. A copy of the budget may be obtained at the County Clerk’s office.

The new Tax Rate was adopted at .3335% and authorization was given to the Tax Assessor/Collector to assess and collect taxes in accordance with the tax rate. It is higher than last year’s rate of .3219% and is expected to generate more revenue for the County, but not high enough to require voter approval.

Also approved were the following:

–Minutes from the August 18 & 20, 2025, meetings

— Budget Transfers and Amendments

–Pay Bills

–Payroll

–Acceptance of Report from District Clerk

–Acceptance of Bonds and Education Certificates of County Officials and Employees

–Acceptance of Opioid Settlements with Purdue and The Gang of 8.

–Acceptance of 2026 Election Judges and Alternate Judges

–Acceptance of 2026 Holiday Schedule (12 Days)

–Acceptance of Notice of Fees for services performed by Sheriff and Constables for 2026. No change from last year’s fees.

Commissioners Court regularly meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the 2nd Floor Commissioner Court Room. You can watch video of each Commissioners’ Court meeting online at https://www.co.freestone.tx.us/page/freestone.AllCommCourtVideos. Agendas are available at https://www.co.freestone.tx.us/page/freestone.PublicNotices.