Texas Record
Van Zandt County
AR

Andy Reese

County Judge2023-2026

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
16
Total speaking time
4:43:54
Avg per meeting
17:45
Segments
4301

Want every word Reese has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Reese said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

medium↑Oct 2026[55]

fallen deputy funeral / ongoing shooting investigation

The county will bear costs for the deputy's funeral, the ongoing investigation, and overtime, plus potential workers' comp and hospital bills for the injured officer.

high↑Jan 2026[28]

2026 primary elections administration

Switching off the free state system would cost the county about $75,000 a year, which officials say they can't justify to taxpayers.

high↑Jan 2026[15]

Courthouse restoration and 2026 historical grant

$9.9M grant award, but a bond election of perhaps $30-35M over 20-25 years is anticipated; architectural fees likely ~$100-150K.

high↓Jan 2026[14]

Dixie Land Energy pipeline in county right-of-way

medium↓Jan 2026[11]

Officer tracking and radio system improvements

$240K/year in maintenance now, ~$600K/year after the refresh; $300K change order proposed; ARPA funds must be spent by year end.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

mayor resignation

Expect little direct budget hit unless filling the seat triggers a special election or extra staff time—but leadership churn can slow spending and project decisions.

medium↑Oct 2026[10]

county resolution on Sharia law

No direct hit to your wallet—this resolution doesn't fund, cut, or regulate anything.

critical↓Jun 2026[8]

Creation of County Assistance District (CAD) and 2% Sales Tax

A new sales tax district would collect sales tax countywide outside cities, with spending authority still unclear to residents.

high↓Aug 2026[7]

Indigent defense representation in the 294th District Court

$867K last year in indigent defense; potential doubling anticipated.

high↓Feb 2026[7]

Road and bridge funding allocation percentages

Roughly $800,000 more for road materials, taken from general fund capacity.

high↓Jun 2026[7]

Sheriff's Office staffing, pay, and dispatch capacity

Not quantified in the meeting; includes salaries, vehicle, fuel, and training increases.

high↓Jun 2026[6]

Employee salary increases (5% proposed)

Anywhere from about $130,000 to $350,000 more per year depending on the option chosen.

low↓Sep 2026[5]

ARPA grant compliance policies

Minimal direct cost — mostly staff time and storage boxes — but noncompliance could jeopardize the $11 million grant.

medium↑Nov 2026[5]

district attorney resignation

Probably not a direct hit to your wallet—this is more about who runs prosecutions than new taxes or fees.

high↓Jun 2026[4]

Slowing new property growth means less new revenue

About $407K less in projected revenue at last year's rate, unless the court adopts a higher tax rate.

high↓Jun 2026[4]

Regional water conservation district

Roughly $12,000/month for the county's share of legal costs.

high↓Jun 2026[4]

Volunteer fire department funding increase

Roughly doubles current fire department funding, subject to revenue.

medium↓Jan 2026[3]

Youth Diversion Program funding

Zero general fund dollars requested — about 83-87% covered by dedicated revenues.

high↓May 2026[3]

County Jail Security and Infrastructure Upgrades

About $500K/year in housing costs plus $27K/month in extra inmate medical, with reopening the unit costing ~$300-350K/year in jailer salaries.

critical↓Feb 2026[3]

Green energy moratorium (battery storage, solar, wind)

Up to $200,000 of taxpayer money potentially earmarked for litigation.

Decisions during term (67)

Recorded while Reese was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved5-0Sep 30, 2026

Salary of official court reporter, 294th District Court

approved5-0Sep 30, 2026

Appointment of county auditor and assistant auditors, and salaries

approved5-0Sep 30, 2026

Indigent defense contracts for the 294th District Court

tabledSep 30, 2026

Dixie Land Energy pipeline permit, CR 3218 and CR 3105

approvedSep 30, 2026

Consent agenda (line-item transfers, item A)

approvedSep 30, 2026

SB 22 rural law enforcement salary assistance grant, FY 2027

approvedSep 30, 2026

Transfer of courthouse window restoration contract from Komatsu Architecture to Parkhill

approvedSep 30, 2026

Document management and records retention policy for the ARPA grant

approvedSep 30, 2026

Standards of conduct and conflict of interest policy for the ARPA grant

approvedSep 30, 2026

Financial management policies and procedures for the ARPA grant

approvedSep 30, 2026

Job description for the general counsel position

tabled5-0May 20, 2026

Table Sub-Regional Planning Commission Resolution

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Terminate VHF Tower Lease with Titan Towers LP

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Terminate VHF Tower Lease with Crossroads Communications

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Renew Pager Service Agreement

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Approve Tower Lease Agreement with Texas CellNet

approved4-0-1May 20, 2026

Approve Interlocal Road Agreement with City of Van

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Authorize Online Publication of Redacted Agenda Binders

tabled5-0May 20, 2026

Table East Annex Lease Agreement with ESD No. 3

approved5-0May 20, 2026

Approve Christie's Place Subdivision Plat