Shelby County Today

May 5, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved moving forward with a settlement during their April 22, 2026, meeting of Opioid Litigation with Defendants Associated Pharmacies, Inc and American Pharmacies, JM Smith Co., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris Dickson, N. Carolina Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., and UNFI/SUPERVALU.

John Price, County Attorney, spoke with the commissioners about the contents of the settlement.

"I reviewed the proposed acceptance that came from Martin [and] Walker that's the law firm out of Tyler that the county had previously retained to represent the interests in this opioid litigation," said Price. "This proposed settlement is with some smaller drug companies, a smattering of those different companies and that they're trying to settle with." 

Price stated he thinks the document is consistent with all the documents the county has approved in the past. 

"This is going to be a smaller amount of funds than has been received previously, because these are small companies and the amount they settle for is divided among thousands of claimants," said Price.

Price said the estimated distribution to Shelby County is roughly $4,032 and that it would go in an opioid fund to be used in accordance with the directions that allow for its use. 

May 4 was the deadline for the document to be returned by the county as indicated by Price to prevent either tying up the settlement agreement, or possibly losing the agreement.

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to approve the settlement and second was heard from Commissioner Shannon Metcalf. The court then heard Price request that authorization be given to County Judge Allison Harbison to execute the document on behalf of the county to deliver it back to the representing attorneys immediately. The court then voted with all in favor.

The commissioners considered the request, from adjoining landowner, to close a portion of County Road 4192 with said portion being the westerly most end of County Road 4192, being 186 feet in length. 

"I was contacted several months ago by a new landowner on a piece of property at the end of that, Mr. Sopchak out of the Houston area. In fact, he came to court when we initially discussed the road closure," said Commissioner Bellmyer. 

Bellmyer elaborated that County Attorney Price has gone through all the adjoining landowners adjacent to that property and that's how the measurement of 186 feet at the end of the road is what's been decided. 

Commissioner Bellmyer explained that it's a typical reason someone would request to close a road in that it's a dead-end road, Sopchak has only house on the road, and his security system has captured people accessing his property.

"He's requested that he could close the road and he's going to put a gate across the road, and I support it. It's something that if I owned the property up there and didn't live there full time and knew that people came on to my property and he can't gate it without approval from the court," said Bellmyer. 

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to close off the road as indicated and that appropriate signage would be established as well as the property owners mailbox being moved to CR 4020 where the roads intersect. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

The commissioners approved a pay raise for the 273rd Judicial District Court Coordinator, Amber Dubea.

Judge Harbison indicated that during executive session on the previous week with District Judges James Payne and LeAnne Kay Rafferty, as well as District Attorney Karren Price and County Attorney John Price, there was intense discussion over pay raises.

"The proposal is that we raise the 273rd Court Coordinator to $21.30," said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison inquired with Judge Payne if he wanted to comment on the subject and he confirmed that $21.30 is the rate.

Commissioner McSwain moved that per Judge Payne's request that the adjustment be made to $21.30 per hour. Commissioner Tom Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

The commissioners then considered and approved the resignation of Erin Johnson as court coordinator for the 123rd Judicial District Court and the hire of Whitley Williams to the court coordinator position at the current rate of $19.30 an hour.

Commissioner McSwain moved to go forward with the hire date of May 4 at the budgeted salary. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.

The commissioners considered not only participation but designation of the person who will represent the County in the Shelby County/Sabine River Island Drainage study.

Cheryl Ray with Traylor and Associates, a grant administration firm, offered some details to the commissioners on what the project is about. She explained Traylor and Associates was hired by the engineering firm handling the flood planning study.

"One of the areas that we thought needed to be studied was this particular area. Again, it's no cost to you guys. We just need somebody to commit to coming to a few meetings. It's a $200,000 study. What it will do for you is get you a couple of projects into the flood planning, the flood plan for the state, which means that those projects then could be applied for, you know, and hopefully receive some actual mitigation, you know, of some of the flooding in this area. This is an excellent thing for you. We're just asking for a little bit of time," said Ray.

Commissioner Stevie Smith stated that he would love to be on the committee and Commissioner McSwain moved to designate Smith on the Shelby County/Sabine River Island Drainage study. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion, and it carried with all in favor.

The commissioners approved a proclamation declaring April 26 - May 3, 2026 as Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week. Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve the designation and Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion. It carried with all in favor.

A property tax exemption request for The Crayon Box Childcare Center allowed under House Bill 9, (Property Tax Relief) effective January 1st 2026, was discussed by the commissioners. The county has previously awarded an exemption to the center and this was the second time the exemption has been sought.

The commissioners discussed the tax abatement, possibly increasing the abatement to 75%, and encouraging The Crayon Box to approach the City of Center, as well as Center ISD regarding their taxes.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to leave the abatement as-is at 50% and Commissioner McSwain seconded the motion. It carried with all in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:21am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.

2. Pay current payroll. 

3. New hourly rate of pay for the 273rd Court Coordinator, $21.30.

4. Resignation of the 123rd Court Coordinator, Erin Johnson, and approve the hiring of, Whitley Williams, as new Court Coordinator at the current budgeted rate of $19.30.

5. Settlement of Opioid Litigation with Defendants Associated Pharmacies, Inc and American Pharmacies, JM Smith Co., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., Morris Dickson, N. Carolina Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., and UNFI/SUPERVALU.

6. Request, from adjoining landowner, to close a portion of County Road 4192 located in Shelby County, Texas; with said portion being the westerly most end of County Road 4192, being 186 feet in length. 

7. Not only participation but designation of the person who will represent the County in the Shelby County/Sabine River Island Drainage Study.

8. Proclamation declaring Texas Soil and Water Stewardship week for the week of April 26th – May 3rd, 2026. 

9. Property Tax Exemption request for The Crayon Box Childcare Center allowed under House Bill 9, (Property Tax Relief) effective January 1st 2026. 

10. Adjourn at 10:21am