HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT
Hays County Commissioners court will meet at 9 a.m. today. There are several items of interest on the agenda including the ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the county and the Hays County Law Enforcement Association, the ratification of a $500,000 grant application for the Sheriff’s Office Grant Program and possible approval of out of state travel for Sheriff’s Office DRONE Team employees for training.
The court is set to adopt a proclamation recognizing the week of Nov. 4 to 8 as National Salvation Army Day.
The court is set to discuss and possibly take action to authorize the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Hays County and the Hays County Law Enforcement Association, the Hays County Sheriff's Office and all Hays County Constables. The agreement will be effective from Nov. 5, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2027, and the agreement determines management rights, wages and pay, overtime pay, shift schedules, holidays and holiday pay, benefits, grievance procedures, hiring procedures, among other employment provisions. The full agreement can be found at destinyhosted.com/hayscdocs/2024/CC/20241105_82/3969%5F2024%2D2027%5FCBA.pdf.
The court is set to ratify the submission of a $500,000 grant application to the Texas Comptroller, Rural Law Enforcement - Sheriff's Office Grant Program. Texas Senate Bill 22 established a grant program through the Texas Comptroller's Office that is meant to provide financial assistance to the sheriff's departments, constable's offices and district and county attorney's offices in eligible counties. Hays County is submitting an application for the Sheriff's Office. Because the population of Hays County is between 50,000 and 300,000, the county is eligible to receive $500,000. According to the bill, the grant must be initially applied to the salaries for sheriff ($75,000), deputies ($45,000) and correctional officers ($40,000). Hays County already exceeds the minimum salary for sheriff, deputies and correctional officers, so funds may be used to hire additional staff, increase salaries or purchase vehicles, firearms and safety equipment for the sheriff’s office. No matching of funds is required.
The court is set to approve out-out-state travel for six Sheriff’s Office DRONE Team employees. There are Counterterrorism First Responder DRONE Assessment Courses on Jan. 28 to 30, in Socorro, New Mexico. Students are presented with information on the current Unmanned Aircraft Systems criminal and terrorist threat, and they will also learn analog and electronic UAS detection techniques and response tactics to address this threat. Students will use various UAS types, learn about their capabilities and participate in simulated UAS threats involving improvised explosive devices. They will also learn to mitigate threats over infrastructure, courthouses and correctional facilities. Funding for travel expenses, including registration, hotel, airfare and per diem fees, will be paid for by FEMA. This training will be of no cost to the county.
The meeting can be viewed in person or online at hayscountytx. gov/commission-ers court-live-stream.
