Shelby County Today

March 26, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners awarded a tax abatement to Portacool during their meeting held Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Portacool, LLC requested a Tax Abatement Agreement for property belonging to Portacool, LLC located in Shelby County, Texas and described the plan going forward in seeking the tax abatement from the county.

Ben Wulf, Portacool President and CEO, reminded the court that in June of 2023 Portacool went through a crisis that will stand with them for many, many years to come. He stated they’ve been fortunate to rebuild and are certainly back on their feet. 

“We've got a very stable organization and now we're ready to continue to simplify our business, but also to scale our business. And with that, that's kind of the request that's on the table today,” said Wulf. “We are looking to rebuild, which would be actually two facilities, one is 75,000 square feet, which would house all of our rotational moulding capabilities. This is what was lost during the fire. We have three suppliers that are providing plastics, one is at College Station, one is Fort Worth, and we've got a group in Kansas.”

Wulf explained that all of the activity they are working to rebuild has been shifted out since the fire, and would be in the 75,000 square foot facility. Adjacent to that, he explained, they would have another operational center which would be doing some sub-assembly work and logistical activities on the same campus.

“Those are the two facilities we're looking to add. In addition to that, it's a lot of infrastructural work that needs to be done, just to give a little, you know, context around the total investment around $12 [million] to $12-and-a-half million dollars once it's all done. In terms of kind of job creation and job retention, we will retain 15 jobs that specialize in the plastic manufacturing capabilities, we will also be be adding somewhere between 35 to 40 jobs that will be here in Center, Texas as well,” said Wulf.

Wulf shared that he recently imparted to the City of Center that the current project will solidify the Portacool presence in the community as a whole.

“I think as we think as local county members here, people have grown up here and want to continue to be here for years to come is when Portacool makes this investment, it's going to cement Portacool in Center and Shelby County for years to come.” said Wulf.

Wulf described the current structure of Portacool as being very modular and that it can be moved in its current state.

“We also have an owner that's in Switzerland. He's very agnostic. Whether it's Zurich, whether it's Richmond, Virginia or Center, it really is a different thing. So I think that's what we're asking is to continue to incentivize him to make these investments in Center, Texas,” said Wulf. “We want to continue to be the employer of choice in Shelby County and in Center. We think this investment will allow us to do that and most notably cement Portacool here for the foreseeable future.”

Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, asked Wulf when they would get started on the project and how long they expect it to take. Wulf explained that site preparation is already ongoing in anticipation of the tax abatement approval and would be putting concrete in place in a matter of three weeks. 

“We expect that by the end of the year we’re producing good product out of that facility,” said Wulf. “So, that will start feeding into our 2026 production cycle.”

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the abatement for Portacool and the motion was seconded by Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner 
Precinct 1. The motion carried.

Wulf also introduced Jennifer Wyatt, Vice President-Human Resources.

The commissioners discussed the disbursement Child Safety Fee fund and County Judge Allison Harbison stated the total collected is $17,967 and less the 10% administration fee and a certain percentage being distributed to cities in Shelby County, the amount available for distribution is $11,760.59.

Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, offered a suggestion of providing a percentage of what funding goes to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to the County Welfare Board.

Karren Price, District Attorney, wasn’t certain what the County Welfare Board does and before the funds are split to that organization felt it would be important to know what they do. 

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain remarked that the board assists with children who have already been placed somewhere by helping provide them with Christmas gifts and other common needs.

As the commissioners considered tabling the agenda item until the next meeting Tanner Peace, Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (SCCAC) President, asked if the commissioners would consider designating the portion for SCCAC at the current meeting. Since the SCCAC could potentially receive more of the funds, the commissioners elected to wait until the next meeting.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to table the item until the next meeting, and Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, spoke with the commissioners about a contract between the City of Center and the County Elections Department to rent the Center Community House for early voting and election day for the November 2025 election.

“I did include, or Debby included, in your packet the amount of money that we would need to pay on this contract for the City of Center for us to be able to have early voting in the community house in the past for several years now and I don't know how many years back Allison may be able to verify. We've been paying $600,” said Adams.

She stated the Community House is used from the day before early voting starts, and on the Sunday they set up. The day after the election is over the equipment is picked up. 

“We’ve paid $600 a year for however many years. As you may remember last year we did a contract, a joint election agreement. The commissioners approved that where we did the joint election agreement with the City of Center, Center ISD and the county, whereby the county pays a larger portion, but then there's a percentage for the city based on the number of voters we have, registered voters,” said Adams. “The reason they wanted to go contract and go up this year is because we billed them $1,500 last year. So and I foresee that every year in an election, a November election, they will be billed after the fact upwards of $1,300 to $1,500 for their part of the election.”

Adams said the county will recoup the cost as a result.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into an agreement with the City of Center for the election services, and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion. The motion carried.

The commissioners discussed a contract between Shelby County, Texas and San Augustine Motor Company to establish a deadline for delivery of four 2025 trucks for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, that was approved by the Commissioners Court on September 4, 2024.

County Judge Allison Harbison sought to confirm with Sheriff Gerald Corbell that two trucks would be delivered on Friday and Sheriff Corbell confirmed that was what the dealership said.

Judge Harbison said she has spoken with Dan Fussell at San Augustine Motor Company and she explained to him the county would likely be putting a deadline on the other two trucks that were ordered and he said he was fine with that.

Commissioner McSwain moved to give San Augustine Motor Company until April 4 to provide the remaining two trucks after that cease the bid, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.

Commissioner Bellmyer presented County Road 4778 for closure on April 4-April 6 for the purpose of re-decking a bridge. Commissioner Bellmyer explained it is a steel structured bridge that has had very good inspections from the state on the structure; however, they have commented on the decking needing attention.

The bridge is 85 feet in length and the expectation is to have it closed for three days before re-opening it after completion.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to close the road and let everyone know what they’re doing and how long it will be closed, Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded the motion and it carried.

During the Commissioner Court Reports, Commissioner McSwain stated the rodeo arena had some dirt added to it with rocks in it and after being addressed there hopefully are no longer any rocks in the arena.

Sheriff Corbell stated the Sheriff’s Department was informed of a future closure of FM 138 at the West Creek Bridge.

“We were advised by the Texas Department of Highways of Public Transportation which is the highway department, that highway 138 towards Garrison, Arcadia they were going to be replacing the West Creek Bridge and during that construction highway 138 will be closed no route around, closed,” said Sheriff Corbell. “They’re going to be taking bids on it the latter part of ’27 and they should start construction on it around March of ’28 and so people need to know that there’s going to be limited access to anything west of Arcadia and so they advised it would take approximately 21 months.”

The meeting adjourned at 10:15am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Pay current payroll.
3. Request from Portacool, LLC for a Tax Abatement Agreement for property belonging to Portacool, LLC located in Shelby County, Texas. 
4. Contract between the City of Center and the County Elections Department to rent the Center Community House for early voting and election day for the November 2025 election. 
5. Contract between Shelby County, Texas and San Augustine Motor Company to establish a deadline of April 4, 2025 for delivery of four (4) 2025 trucks for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, that was approved by the Commissioners Court on September 4, 2024. 
6. Give public notification of the closure of County Road 4778 for the dates of April 4, April 5, and April 6 for the purpose of re-decking a bridge. 
7. Adjourn at 10:15am. 

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:
1. Take action to disburse the Child Safety Fee Fund. 

March 25, 2025 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle fatality crash that took place on a private property railway bridge, east of Joaquin, that occurred Sunday, March 23, 2025. 

The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:50 p.m., a 2022 Polaris Ranger UTV driven by Joseph Warren, 41, of Logansport, La. was traveling west on the railway tracks, while a train was also traveling west on the railway tracks. It is reported that the Polaris attempted to exit the tracks but was unsuccessful and was struck by the train.  

Warren was pronounced deceased on scene by the Justice of the Peace. 

The conductor of the train and the one passenger were not injured. 

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.

March 24, 2025 - County road 3340 will be closed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 due to culvert and road repair. Work will begin at 8:00 am and should be completed at 2:00 pm.

Pictured are (from left): Luke Mooney, Jason Burch, David Hailey, Rodney Mathews, Josh Eddins, Kaden LaRock, Waylon Griffith, Zack Fausett, Joel Covington, Luke Fausett, Phillip Youngblood

March 17, 2025 - The Center Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) held a meeting and election of officers Tuesday, March 4, 2025, and saw the retirement of two in leadership.

Center VFD Fire Chief Rodney Mathews and Center VFD Assistant Fire Chief Waylon Griffith retired from their positions and each shared words of encouragement to all of the Center firefighters.

VFD Chief Mathews leaves the fire department following 22 years of service with the Center VFD, which was preceded by years of service at fire departments in Joaquin and Logansport. 

“Y’all know how much, we both of us, thoroughly enjoy the fire department and I always have,” said Mathews. “We always stress, if you get hurt going to a car wreck or fire, it ain’t doing nobody any good.

Mathews expressed the importance of all the firefighters to be extremely careful out on the roadways, especially the main highways, when directing traffic. He said he looked forward to seeing the department grow as more join.

“Pick some that that’s what they want to do, you know, they want to be a fireman, they want to help people but that’s what it’s about,” said Mathews.

Assistant VFD Chief Griffith has retired with 25 years of service to the Center VFD and previous to that he had years of service with the West Shelby County VFD. They both were presented with plaques in honor of their service.

Griffith spoke to his fellow members about the dedication firefighters have to commit to do the job and the desire to want to do well for the community. He also said he’s always tried to set a good example for the other firefighters.

“I always have tried to, I hope I have,” said Griffith. “We got a lot of good guys in here. I want to see y’all hang in there, you know, with the fire department and advance and grow and get you some years under your belt.”

Griffith encouraged the importance to the firefighters of being safe on calls and when responding to them, and to just do the best they can. He also noted the importance of staying focused and not getting distracted during crash situations where they may be helping someone out of a terrible situation.

He just wanted everyone to watch out for each other and be safe, and he expressed how much he has enjoyed being on the fire department.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone that I’ve worked with and y’all,” said Griffith.

During the meeting, elections for officers were held and they include Del Birdwell, Volunteer Fire Chief; Luke Mooney, Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief; Jason Burch, 2nd Assistant Fire Chief; Brandi Cammack, Secretary; Joel Covington, Chaplain; and Kaden LaRock, Training Officer.