WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS UPDATE NAME FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DEPT., RECEIVE POSITIVE FINANCIAL REPORT

  

Washington County’s emergency communications department has formally updated its name.

County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to change the name of the communications department, previously known as E911, to Washington County 911.

Interim Director Raleigh Wellmann said the new name is meant to reflect updated systems and standardize terminology for the county, as the department’s previous name referenced technology that it has moved away from.

Wellmann said the new name is already in the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement system.

Following her department’s quarterly report, Wellmann provided new details about the department’s livestock registration form project.  Livestock owners will be able to fill out forms with contact and location information for the purpose of aiding law enforcement in the event that livestock get loose.

Wellmann plans to share flyers with QR codes that link to the form with local businesses and feed stores.  The link is also available here, and she said they can work on making physical forms as well. 

Commissioner Misti Hartstack Corn said she is “extremely happy” to see this initiative moving forward and that she believes the sheriff will be, too. 

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners received the county’s 2025 annual comprehensive financial report from outside auditing firm Singleton, Clark & Company, PC. 

Elias Tristan, CPA with Singleton, Clark & Company, said the county’s general fund revenue and expenses both came in at $40.9 million, but an additional $1.2 million in funds listed under other financing sources resulted in the county’s fund balance increasing from $16.9 million to $18.1 million.  Tristan described the fund balance as “pretty strong”, saying it is wise to keep at least three months’ worth of operating expenses in the fund balance, and the county is currently sitting at about five months. 

Tristan also commended the work of County Auditor Shawna Hollis, saying the audit was clean and had no negative findings. 

Another item of note was the approval of a social media agreement for the sheriff’s office through CivicPlus. 

Sheriff Trey Holleway explained that the sheriff’s office is required by the Texas Public Information Act and Freedom of Information Act to supply records, which include social media content, upon request.  However, since social media hosts can delete content, the sheriff’s office must keep archives and retain that content in order to stay compliant.  

Holleway said the cloud-based software comes recommended by several surrounding agencies and will monitor and automate the capturing of all social media activity.  Chief of Staff Carrie Marmol said the county as a whole could utilize the software, and that she plans to come forward during budget with options for social media, agenda management and open records request software systems.

Additionally, commissioners:

• Approved a bank depository contract with Brenham National Bank.
• Approved budget amendments and line item transfers.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Quarry Road in Precinct 3, consisting of 7.71 acres.
• Accepted a final plat for the Green Pastures subdivision located along Windy Acres Road and Mount Vernon Road in Precinct 3, consisting of seven lots.
• Accepted a $50 donation to the sheriff’s office from the Washington County Ladies Lions Club.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Tuesday's meeting.