Tom Green County Commissioners Court addressed a long-running lawsuit during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
During a brief executive session, commissioners met with legal counsel regarding Hughes vs. Tom Green County, involving the final wishes of library benefactor Duwain E. Hughes.
Following that session, the court announced a settlement had been reached.
“Back on June 3, this court authorized a resolution and settlement of a litigation involving Charles Hughes against Tom Green County,” attorney William Keith Davis said. “In that meeting, the court authorized a resolution of settlement and also authorized Judge Carter to execute documents.
“Since that point in time, we have now received and finalized the form of the settle agreement and various terms of that issue. What I’m seeking today is for an authorization of reaffirming and authorizing Judge Carter to execute the settlement document at the appropriate time.”
The settlement terms include a line-item budget transfer of $450,000 from Contingencies to the Legal Claims and Settlements column in the county’s budget.
The lawsuit centers on contested bequests in Hughes’ 1965 will, involving mineral rights left to Southern Methodist University, property bequeathed to Tom Green County for a library in Hughes’ name, and a longstanding dispute with his heirs—particularly his nephew Charles Hughes. The dispute arose after the county failed to name the new library for Hughes and other legal issues. The settlement resolves those lingering claims.
For full background, see The Concho Observer’s earlier coverage HERE.
Judge Lane Carter added, “One more step closer to finalizing this off of our books.”
Election Equipment and Software Upgrades
The court also considered upgrades to elections equipment.
County Elections Administrator Vona Hudson presented a plan to adopt KNOWiNK Poll Pads, replacing the current Votec “Kiosk” system. These new devices would allow curbside voter check-in—something the current system cannot accommodate.
“We are currently using poll books…provided by Votec… called Kiosk. We looked at several different vendors and we did find one that we would like to consider purchasing… called Poll Pads.
“They’re going to offer us a little bit of things that we don’t currently have,” she explained, adding that the current setup makes working with curbside voters difficult.
She also noted that the estimate for the new equipment is $91,132, and that the amount is already budgeted.
Commissioners approved the purchase, which is contingent upon review by the county attorney.
Hudson also addressed the voter registration system, explaining that the current Votec-based system—operated offline and synced with the state’s “Team” system—is being updated. The county will gain access to a comparable no-cost system, which the court also approved.
Tax Rate and Public Hearing Set
Commissioners adopted a proposed tax rate at $0.47075, with $0.42248 allocated for maintenance and operations and $0.04827 for interest and sinking. While this exceeds the “no-new-revenue” rate, it falls below the voter-approval threshold.
Officials noted this year’s total property tax collection is $3,152,929, a 6.26-percent increase, including $799,566 from newly added property. A public hearing on the proposed rate is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 4 in the commissioner’s court room.
The rate was approved with a recorded vote.
County Parks Policy Changes
Commissioner Shawn Nanny proposed revisions to county parks usage policies.
He asked that overnight camping at Pugh Park, located on the South Concho River, be prohibited due to safety concerns—especially because much of the park is in a floodway. He noted the volunteer fire department has been called to the park at night multiple times, placing responders at risk.
“For the betterment of the community, I would like to amend our County Parks Policy… No camping from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” Nanny said.
Judge Carter clarified that “occupants” should be the operative term to prevent campers from circumventing restrictions by calling themselves “tailgaters.”
Nanny also proposed at Foster Park—the historic site along Spring Creek—that RV rentals be discontinued and the pavilion interior closed.
“In preserving that old building, it’s taken a lot of abuse over the years… You can still use the pavilion area and sit in there, but the interior portion will be off limits now,” he said.
Nanny reminded the court that Mineral Wells Park, another county site, has already enforced a 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, which he said has greatly improved operations since implementing.
He requested these changes take effect by Sept. 1, with revised park policies to return for formal approval at the next court session.
