Angelina County Delays Interim Road Administrator Appointment

Angelina County commissioners opted not to appoint an interim road administrator during their meeting on October 3, 2023. Instead, they will continue daily operations under the leadership of the county’s lead foreman, Clint Caton, while seeking to hire a permanent road engineer. The decision followed a closed session that concluded without a motion to name an interim administrator.

County Judge Keith Wright emphasized the need for a careful selection process. “We felt like we should continue with what we are doing,” he stated. Wright explained that the winter months typically see a slowdown in road construction, providing the county with an opportunity to conduct a thorough recruitment process before work resumes in the spring.

Caton has managed daily operations since the departure of former administrator James McMullen earlier this month. In a follow-up vote, commissioners established hiring specifications for the new county road engineer/road administrator, with a proposed salary range of $150,000 to $175,000. Additionally, they allocated up to $5,000 for relocation assistance and a $2,000 budget for recruitment advertising.

Wright noted, “We’re offering a salary package that’s above what we’ve been able to find in other counties.” The county plans to advertise the position through various channels, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Texas Society of Civil Engineers, LinkedIn, Indeed, the county’s website, and local media outlets. Wright stressed the importance of hiring a licensed engineer to lead the newly consolidated road department, which combines four precinct road crews into one professional unit.

The transition has not been without challenges, as Wright acknowledged some “growing pains” in the new structure. Nonetheless, he highlighted that increasing budgets for road resurfacing are helping the county address years of deferred repairs. “We want an engineer, too. We’re going to try our best, but it just depends on if we can get anybody interested,” he added.

In financial matters, County Treasurer Jill Brewer presented her monthly report, stating that sales tax collections for September 2023 reached $757,000, surpassing the previous year’s figures. She reported transferring $2.26 million to the county depository to cover payroll and expenses. Additionally, a maturing certificate of deposit contributed approximately $15,520 to the general fund, while two other CDs were renewed at rates of 4% and 3.8%. Brewer noted that October marks the county’s “low-point month” before the arrival of new ad-valorem tax revenue in November.

The commissioners also addressed several other matters during the meeting. They approved the final plats for the Sellers Jim Stephens Road Subdivision in Precinct 1, the Forrest Road Subdivision No. 2 in Precinct 3, and the Wild Vine’s Lake Estates No. 2 in Precinct 4. Additionally, they authorized the 2026 fiscal year county grant for the Annual Texas Feeding Texans Program for the Senior Citizen Center and approved an interlocal cooperative contract with Texas State University for the 2025/2026 Tobacco Enforcement Program.

The court also adopted the Angelina County Holiday Schedule for 2026, corrected a naming error related to St. Clair Drive, and certified $50,000 in foundation grants aimed at upgrading the water system in the city of Zavalla. Furthermore, they approved a new health plan for county-insured members that includes a program for auditing high medical-bill claims for a nominal fee, along with an optional telehealth feature for uninsured family members.

In concluding business, the commissioners approved two change orders related to the expansion of the county jail, reflecting ongoing commitments to infrastructure development within Angelina County.