The Hopkins County Commissioners Court declared June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month during the court meeting Wednesday, May 27. The county also received the annual financial report, heard comments from three citizens and approved some budget amendments as well as some other items during the meeting.
Proclamation
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation noting the need for community awareness of elder abuse.
“Older adults and people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds contribute to the wellbeing of their city by working, volunteering, preserving customs, rituals and traditions. And as we age, we build the momentum by promoting knowledge, experience, insight and wisdom that can be shared within our community,” Newsom said, noting the important role older adults have in the community. “An abuse of older adults and people with disabilities is a community concern affecting thousands of people across Texas.”
Elder abuse is often underreported due to the stigma, embarrassment and fear.
Last year, there were 192 reports of abuse in Hopkins County, and 91 of those were confirmed cases. In 2025, 125,382 reports of abuse of older adults and disabilities were made in Texas, Newsom noted.
Citizen comments
There were three people who spoke during the citizen comments portion of the commissioners court meeting.
The first person complained branches from trees along the county road they live on hang over the road, scraping the top of their Nissan Sentra. Their son has purchased a mobile home and wants to have it moved onto their property, but won’t be able to do so without the roof sustaining damage from the overhanging vegetation. The woman said they have reached out to the county to try to resolve the issue. They were told by the county to have the company moving the building clear the path, but the company indicated it is not their job to clear vegetation from roadways.
The second speaker complain about the condition of his county road. He believes it is being “downgraded,” and asked for the roads to be restored to previous conditions. The resident claimed instead of potholes being repaired, they are being filled with rock. According to the resident, when it rains oil-top can be seen underneath the rock.
The final speaker brought forward a concern that their property floods due to drainage. According to the county resident, diverted water is coming right through the center of his property. The commissioners offered to come out to the property to look at culverts and water flow, but told the resident he would be responsible for the cost of installing the culverts on his property.
Elections Update
Following the election on Tuesday, May 26, Hopkins County Elections Aministrator Katelyn Kneifl gave an update on the election at the meeting. There were four locations that are usually open that were closed May 26; her office received a lot of complaints specific to Saltillo Independent School District not serving as an election site.
According to Kneifl, there was almost as many ballots cast May 26 as during early voting.
The Democrat and Republican Party chairs are not allowed to canvass until eight days after the election. Some mail ballots were returned without a driver’s license or Social Security number on them. Those people were sent letter. They have eight days to provide the information requested so those votes can be counted, Kneifl explained.
There is also a need to update some voting equipment, since it was not done last year.
Other business
A request from Signal Energy to construct an underground MV run that will cross County Road 1114 and from Farmers Electric Cooperative to construct electrical power distribution facilities that will cross County Road 3536 were both approved.
The annual financial report performed by Mallory, McNeal and Company, PC, for the year ending in Sept. 30, 2025, was approved. Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted that the process began in February and they finished this week. There were no findings in the report, they were able to increase their net position by $10,443,154 and they lowered their general fund by $1,298,038.
There was also a budget amendment for grant revenue from the Department of Homeland Security for $287,500. A $23,000 donation will be moved from the donation line to fire department repair and maintenance.
A few contracts were approved during the meeting. The service agreement between the United States Department of Homeland Security Task Force and the Hopkins County Sheriff ’s Office. This is stipend money that the county receives for being in cooperation with Homeland Security. This also established a line for the donation revenue to be entered into.
An interlocal agreement by and between the City of Cumby and Hopkins County was approved. The county is helping the city with roadwork that needs to be completed by providing materials and some labor. The roads include Smith Street, Holland Street, Barker Street, South Williiams Street, Donelteon Street south of the railroad tracks, Mill Street north of the tracks, Depot Street south of the tracks and Tarrant Street.
An interlocal agreement by and between the Cumby Cemetery and Hopkins County was approved. The agreement is to overlay the roads in the cemetery.
The legal service contract with Flowers Davis, P.L.L.C This contract is to help the county address the influx of open records requests. This will be a third-party system so that when someone requests a record, the office can submit the information to Flowers Davis to be reviewed and needed items redacted before it is sent to the requestee.
The court made several matters of record during the meeting. A matter of record was made regarding the State Plan of Operations between the state and Hopkins County Law Enforcement Agency. This is personal protective equipment, vehicles and other equipment used by the military that is issued to the agency and returned when not needed. This agreement must be conducted annually.
The annual compliance verification form was submitted by Stampede Solar in accordance with their Chapter 381 agreement with the county. This is a document that must be turned in yearly so that Stampede can receive their tax rebate. According to Aulsbrook, the company paid $1,317,648.29, and the county will receive a pilot payment of $555,968 and the company will receive a rebate of $761,680.29.
County officials reported that the repair work for the courthouse elevator will be $84,719.
Also entered into the record was a document with Texas Judicial Commission on a Mental Health Court Liaison Pilot Program, which will help implement a mental health specialist and resources into the judicial system of Hopkins County.