Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tom Green County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
32 issues in public safety
VOCA grant for victim witness services
The DA's victim witness assistance program stays funded through a $32,616 federal grant, with the county match dropping thanks to an extra $10,000 from the state.
Juvenile detention contracts with other counties
New interlocal and service contracts with Ellis, Ward, Young, and Stephens Counties continue the county's juvenile detention expansion program.
County-Wide Burn Ban Extension
The court considered a countywide burn ban but took no action, leaving fire restrictions unchanged.
Glasscock County inmate housing
Tom Green County will house Glasscock County inmates at its detention center under a new interlocal agreement, bringing revenue to the jail operation.
Texas Wildlife Services Annual Program Report
The state's new reporting system has been unusable since March, so the county hasn't received monthly trapper reports. The trapper provided interim numbers — 18 goats and 34 feral hogs taken — and described extensive screwworm surveillance work.
Rabies surveillance in regional fox populations
Wildlife officials warned that a rabies outbreak is booming in Hayes and Comal counties, and the county is doing enhanced surveillance — testing gray fox brain stems — to keep it from returning to this area, which was the epicenter in the 1990s.
Specialty Court Counseling Services Transition to MHMR
The county renewed agreements with San Angelo to provide joint mental health deputies and crisis intervention services.
IT Data Backup Enhancement
The county is upgrading its data backup systems by purchasing a Veeam Backup Solution from Howard Industries for $123,620 through a purchasing cooperative. This ensures county data remains secure and recoverable.
Veteran Services Office Relocation
The county secured new office space for the Veteran Services department by approving a lease agreement at the historic Cactus Hotel.
Detention Center Healthcare Services Amendment
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with MHMR Concho Valley to enhance care coordination inside the county jail.
Jail Mental Health Services Expansion
The county renewed agreements with San Angelo to provide joint mental health deputies and crisis intervention services.
Juvenile Justice Center Interior Alterations
The county is moving forward with safety upgrades at the Juvenile Justice Center, approving a $64,000 architectural agreement with BLD Architects. The project includes modifying doors and lowering windows to improve staff visibility and safety.
Motor Vehicle Crime Grant and Automated License Plate Readers
The county took $98,787 in state money to help fight catalytic converter theft, a common vehicle crime. The flock camera equipment line-item was pulled out of the grant budget before approval.
Election administration for 2026-2027
The court appointed election judges, alternate judges, central count judges and Early Voting Ballot Board judges, and approved countywide vote centers — shaping where and how people vote in county elections.
Crime Stoppers Expansion and Campus Program
Commissioner Nanny reminded everyone that school is back in session — slow down and watch for buses and kids.
Sheriff's Office Training Facility and Equipment Grants
The county is pursuing a Justice Department grant for law enforcement technology and equipment, and separately tabled a Firehouse Subs foundation award for equipment.
ADA policy update
The county updated its Americans with Disabilities Act policy and named Risk Manager Ryan Anderson as the ADA point of contact — the person residents can go to with accessibility complaints.
Reserve Deputy Training and County Travel Policy
A proposed county travel policy was tabled and will come back at a future meeting — it governs how county employees' travel expenses are handled.
Flood Warning Siren Project Plan Submission
The county is building out a flood early warning system, and took three actions: an interlocal with CVCOG for engineering consultants, a master engineering contract with a task order for initial planning, and — tabled — the outdoor warning siren packet. This directly affects flood safety for residents in flood-prone areas.
Sheriff's Office Receives Firehouse Subs Safety Grant
The Sheriff's Office received a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation award to purchase new equipment, accepted by the court.
Substance Abuse Recovery Funding and Opioid Settlement Allocation
ADAC provides residential detox, outpatient treatment, and youth prevention programs across the region, noting alarming trends in the use of synthetic opioids like 7-OH.
Senior Meals and Homebound Support
Meals for the Elderly provides hot daily meals and supplemental care to about 600 homebound seniors in Tom Green County. Rising food and packaging costs have increased meal preparation expenses significantly.
Foster Child Support and CPS Caseworker Assistance
The Child Services Board provides financial assistance for foster children's normal expenses, camp fees, and emergency needs, while also supporting overworked Child Protective Services staff.
Sheriff's crisis intervention partnership with Goodfellow
A new MOU links the Sheriff's Crisis Intervention Unit with Goodfellow Medical Group's Family Advocacy Program, aiming to better connect people in crisis with services.
Emergency Disaster Declaration
A nasty parasite called the New World screwworm has been spotted in local livestock, forcing the city and county to declare a disaster. This move is basically a green light to get state and federal cash flowing so we can stop the infestation before it spreads.
Emergency Declaration
San Angelo and Tom Green County just declared a disaster because of a nasty New World screwworm outbreak. This move is all about getting state and federal help to stop these parasites from wrecking our local livestock industry.
Public Health Emergency
Tom Green County just declared a local disaster because a screwworm case popped up near San Angelo. It’s a major headache for local ranchers and could hit our agriculture scene hard if it spreads.
Correctional Facility Water Renovations and Repairs
The county approved $340,000 for comprehensive water renovations at the Female Community Correction Facility and $154,399 for freeze damage repairs. These projects ensure county correctional facilities remain operational and safe.
Constable Traffic Enforcement Equipment
The Precinct 3 Constable's office received free radar and LIDAR equipment from the state to monitor speeding in Grape Creek school zones. While some commissioners questioned whether constables should handle traffic stops, supporters emphasized it enhances community safety without costing taxpayers.
Court Administration Staffing Restructuring
District judges requested changing the director of court administration position from full-time to part-time due to difficulties finding qualified applicants with specialized skills. The change aims to bring in a consultant under a part-time arrangement to set up systems before hiring permanently.
ICE Warrant Service Officer Program Implementation
The county jail will participate in a state-mandated ICE program to process federal warrants for individuals already in custody. Officials clarified that local deputies will not conduct immigration patrols or arrests, focusing solely on efficient jail releases.
Cybersecurity Training Compliance
County officials urged department heads to complete mandatory cyber training to protect county insurance rates.