When Stella was returned to the shelter she looked a shell of the happy-go-lucky puppy that had first arrived there.

Gregg County accepted a FY27 TxDOT reimbursable grant of $111,111.11 for routine airport maintenance at East Texas Regional Airport and approved the associated budget for use next year.

The court approved a county contract with Champion/CHRISTUS EMS to cover areas outside city limits and outside ESDs, and approved amendments to jail contracts (including a per-diem increase with Nacogdoches County). Sheriff and counsel described staffing shortages in detention and discussed a consulting agreement to pursue a US Marshals Service intergovernmental agreement that could increase revenues.

Gregg County adopted a 90‑day burn ban for all unincorporated areas because of rising drought and wildfire risk; staff reported the KBDI index had risen from 627 to 683 and said the order can be ended earlier if conditions improve.

The court approved a budget transfer and KSA task order to design rehabilitation of runway 18-36 and taxiways at East Texas Regional Airport; staff said the design is eligible for 90% grant reimbursement and projected full construction costs around $8 million (projection).

The court approved a series of interlocal cooperation contracts with the Texas Department of Public Safety to ensure final convictions are reported to the Texas Conviction Reporting (TXCR) system effective Jan. 1, 2027; a clerk’s office representative said the state is changing systems and reporting will migrate from the county's current Tyler-based workflow.

The Gregg County Judge proposed adding a 3¢ tax-rate increase to the 2026 proposed budget to avoid dipping into reserves, estimating a $44.58 annual increase ($3.72/month) on a $190,000 homestead; the court voted to include the proposal and scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 25, 2026.

Gregg County approved reorganization of airport accounting to design a new entrance sign, authorized applying for TSA LEORP law-enforcement reimbursement (time-limited application) and renewed a 20‑year FAA storage building lease at East Texas Regional Airport.

Patillo, Brown & Hill presented the FY2025 audited financial statements with an unmodified opinion; the single-audit work found one reporting error tied to the rural law enforcement grant (incorrect salary-increase dates reported), which the auditor said has been corrected and will be rechecked next year.

The court authorized an FAA grant application for airport security fencing, approved design and contract actions (including a $1,035,377 ARFF vehicle purchase), and approved change orders for a passenger boarding bridge to add high-wind tie-downs and an ADA-compliant door modification to be paid with county funds.

Commissioners approved a professional-services agreement with Select Law Group PLLC to assist on formation of a regional groundwater conservation district and appointed the county judge to a multi-county joint committee to pursue the district; county officials said the district would be fee-based and target large commercial pumpers, not domestic wells.

Gregg County Commissioners ratified acceptance of an FAA ARFF truck grant, approved security fencing work and consolidated hangar leases at East Texas Regional Airport, and transferred $53,841 to buy a maintenance truck for ramp operations.

Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™ in Gregg County: Immediate, Aggressive, Professional Help When You Need It Most Life in Gregg County,…

At its May 26 meeting, the Gregg County Commissioners Court authorized the East Texas Regional Airport to apply for an FAA grant to buy an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and approved a low-bid award recommendation to Oshkosh Airport Products; the court also approved an airfield lighting control upgrade and related budget transfer (amount unclear in the record).