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This is the first significant budget workshop for the 2027 budget year (the first workshop is usually brief, covering general topics like the tax calendar).  The main topics are salaries, retirement increase and community assistance.

Today in Commissioners Court, the ownership of the Round Top Courthouse was debated as the County authorized an application to the Historical Commission for its historical preservation. Also of interest, the Elections Administrator details the election night debacle related to the malfunction of the ballot counting machine.

The Round Top Town Council went into closed session to discuss 4 potential lawsuits.  After over two hours in closed session, the Council voted on item 1 to go to arbitration, on items 2 and 3 they took no action and on item 4, the courthouse square and precinct courthouse ownership dispute, they voted to "file suit against Fayette County for claims related to the Round Top Town Square, the actions of county officials, and related matters, and that the city attorney prepare and file such litigation".  Apparently, the suit could be filed as early as today.

On this day in Commissioners Court, I was attacked personally by two members of the Court for several minutes and thrown out.  They were trying to send me a message; a public spanking.  It didn’t work.  Listen to the audio, read my explanation and my response.

The entire population of the Town of Round Top must have attended tonight’s meeting.  I counted nearly 80 members of the public in attendance at one point, not including the council.  The tiny Courthouse was packed wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder, standing room only.  Obviously, this controversial topic has elicited a lot of interest from the public.  The conversation lasted 63 minutes and you can hear it all right here.

The Fayette County Republican Party was treated to a visit from the Senior Editor of Texas Scorecard, Brandon Waltens.  Brandon shared his thoughts on the successes and failures of the past legislative session, the Republican priorities and took questions from the audience.  You may also enjoy “Highjacked?”, his short documentary on the high jacking of the Texas House, which can be found on YouTube.

It was a crowded room for today’s 98-minute meeting with lots of public participation.  There were public comments, a proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an uncommonly lengthy public hearing on the speed limit for Bruno Road and a presentation by Cintas Uniform Company.  The budget hearing and workshop were brief with few comments, and the remainder of the meeting was fairly routine.  We have a brief report and full audio for you.

Today’s 3-hour marathon was another delightful, substantive, meaningful and consequential budget workshop.  The salary contest was on full display as the County Clerk pleaded passionately for the ladies in her office.  The Court finally settles on a 4% payroll increase for most employees and discusses creative ways to build the contingency fund.  It’s must-listen audio, listening to a room full of people debating & discussing their own salaries.  3 hours last week and 3 hours today, some of the best audio to come out of government all year.  Line by line, decision by decision, approval is expected next week.

EXCLUSIVE – Today’s 3-hour budget workshop didn’t dismiss until after noon and it didn’t disappoint!  During the community support phase, some area non-profits made presentations for budget requests.  Then the Court turned to departmental budget requests, most notably from the Sheriff’s Office and EMS.  And finally, some general discussion and decision making.  Overall, it was a fruitful, productive and pleasant workshop and we need more discussions like these.  My favorite part was the salary discussion.  There is far too much to report on, but don’t miss this exclusive brief.

Much of today’s 134 minute meeting was routine.  We heard an interesting history lesson related to Revolutionary War Patriot Private Pvt John Sorrell, who will be memorialized on the courthouse square, and discussion related to a mass gathering for a family reunion and trail ride was very informative thanks to our new mass gathering permit process, but the gem of this meeting was undoubtedly the fantastic 67-minute budget workshop covering a diverse range of policy topics, including salaries.  The next big meeting is 9 am on the 30th.  We have a lengthy report for you today, covering policy, the history and background of the salary contest, don’t miss it.