September 16, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners set the number of reserve deputies for the Shelby County Sheriff's Department to 10 deputies during their September 9, 2026, meeting.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison explained that at their appointment, they must file an oath of office, then execute and file a bond in the amount of $2,000 payable to the sheriff. The open bond must be filed with a county clerk's office.
"I put these detailed instructions in there, so we wouldn't have any questions at the end of the day, and the code says that the sheriff can do the reserved deputies, but the commissioners have to approve the number," said Judge Harbison.
John Price, County Attorney, further explained 85.004 of the Local Government Code gives the commission the power to approve the number and use of reserve deputies.
"Reserve deputies have been used in this county before, that authority has actually been granted previously. But the number is a matter for the commission. The selection and the service of the reserve deputies, once appointed, is at the discretion of the Sheriff's office," said Price.
He indicated there are some limitations including that a regular patrol officer can't volunteer time to serve as the very same position they are paid for on a regular basis.
"That would be a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act," said Price. "But beyond that, this is discretionary with the sheriff as to who he wishes to retain as reserve deputy. Obviously, they have to meet the standards of being a licensed police officer in this state, and meet all the other requirements, as well as the bond."
Shelby County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Hanson stated that at the time of the meeting there were six candidates for reserve deputy and three of them are commissioned with other agencies.
"We've got one part-time position, we've got a gentleman in it now, John Cash. John's current employment and work schedule, he's not been able to work any. We're probably gonna make him a reserve as well, you know, and retain that part-time position," said Chief Hanson.
Commissioner McSwain moved to set the number of reserve deputies at 10, but no activity until they have the bond in place and their guidelines are met. Commissioner Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
Ann Blackwell, Shelby County Treasurer, provided the investment report to the commissioners and during that time she wanted to clarify for public knowledge that when she references investments and deposits in the county financial report, that represents operating money.
"It comes in in tax collections and the various monies that we collect, I invest it until we need to try to earn some interest on it to help our budget out so this is not like a big savings account," said Blackwell. "This is operating cash that we draw back weekly to operate on."
Blackwell reported that in the county's sweep account, $29,752.73 was earned. In TexPool, the county earned $22,758.05, and total interest on investments and deposits was $52,510.76, for a total invested of $16,043,259.
Interest in the county's regular interest-bearing checking accounts was $74.65.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to accept the officer's report as presented by Treasurer Blackwell and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Shannon Metcalf. The motion carried with all in favor.
The burn ban, which was put in place on August 5, was lifted by the commissioners during the meeting with the understanding it could be put back in place at any time by County Judge Allison Harbison.
Judge Harbison commented that she had gotten over three inches of rain while Commissioner Bellmyer said he had only gotten a two tenths of an inch of rain, which demonstrated some portions of the county received more beneficial impact from recent rain than other areas.
"I'd like to lift it, and then put it on the agenda to present it next week," said Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3. "I know there are places that didn't get much, a lot of places without adequate rain, and then I know of places where people are now prepped and ready to burn and made reasonable preparations."
Judge Harbison shared that a man had called her who is preparing to build chicken houses, and he had all debris ready to burn and was prepared with bulldozers. She said she encouraged him to contact the state and inquire about procuring an agriculture permit so that he could burn.
Commissioner Smith moved to lift the burn ban and add it to the agenda for the following week. Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
Judge Harbison reminded everyone that she can reinstate the burn ban at any time and then seek ratification from the court after that time within seven days.
"That's good to have really, because two or three days down the road if we don't get more showers and something bad happens," said Commissioner Roscoe McSwain.
There was an expectation among the court that the general public could use common sense in deciding if it was a good idea to burn, and that they could also reach out to their local fire department to give them advance notice of their intent to burn.
The commissioners discussed setting a fee amount for San Augustine ISD with the purpose of Elections Administrator Nancy Adams overseeing the ISD bond election for Precinct 6.
Adams confirmed it is only for Precinct 6 with 40 voters and that they would also be having their board election.
"What we normally do is I get the total of Center ISD, total of City of Center, which neither are having elections this year," said Adams.
Adams said she calculates the number of counting voters, gets an aggregate total and divides the number of voters into the aggregate to get a percentage.
"San Augustine ISD percentage would be .002, so that's why I think we oughta just set one rate," said Adams.
Commissioner McSwain moved to set the fee and Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion. It carried with all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 10:06am.
Officers' Report Collections for Month of August: Deborah Riley, Tax Assessor Motor Vehicle collected $33,691.75 and Property collected $101,425.42 for a total of $135,117.17. Jennifer Fountain County Clerk - $61,039.73. Dee Dee Green, District Clerk - $10,017. Donna Hughes, JP1 - $23,206.46 Marla Denby, JP2 - $1,275.30 Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $3,188.20, JP4 Office (Tracy Broadway) - $1,583 Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $3,316.10 Zack Warr, Constable Precinct 1 - $1,063 Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3 - $360 Sheriff's fees - $540, for total collections of $201,700.96
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of the August Special Meeting, August 12 Regular Meeting, August 19 Special Meeting, and August 26 Special Meeting. 2. Weekly expenses with the addition of a $3,500 invoice for tree work in Precinct 2. 3. Current payroll. 4. Officers report. 5. Lift the Burn Ban that was put in place on August 5, 2026. 6. Set the fee amount for San Augustine ISD with the purpose of Elections Administrator Nancy Adams to oversee the ISD bond election for Precinct 6. 7. Discuss and possibly approve to set the fee amount for San Augustine ISD with the purpose of Elections Administrator Nancy Adams to oversee the ISD bond election for Precinct 6. 8. Discuss and possibly approve the number of Reserve Deputy Sheriffs allowed at any given time and specify that these are unpaid positions. At their appointment, they must file an Oath of Office and execute and file a bond in the amount of $2000.00 payable to the Sheriff. The Oath and Bond must be filed with the County Clerk. 9. Adjourn at 10:06am.
