The Hockley County Commissioners Court on Monday held its regular meeting as well as a public meeting.
The public meeting was conducted to address and hear concerns regarding the proposed Hockley County, Texas guidelines and criteria for tax abatement and other economic development guidelines. Every two years the court is required to renew the tax abatement guidelines. There were no substantial changes to the agreement. The agreement was approved with no issue.
Commissioners approved the Planning Pod software for the Mallet Event Center and Arena. The software is designed to streamline event management and the planning process of various types of events, offering tools for budgeting, scheduling and client communication.
In other action, commissioners approved authorizing County Judge Sharla Baldridge to apply for the Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program H.B. 3000. The HB 3000 grant program supports rural ambulance services in Texas, providing financial assistance for counties to purchase ambulances and improve emergency medical services, and address challenges faced by rural counties. Counties with populations of 68,750 or less can apply for grants. For those with populations under 10,000, the maximum grant amount is $500,000. For those with populations between 10,000 and 68,750, the maximum is $350,000. Grant funds must be used exclusively for purchasing ambulances and the county must take possession of the ambulance within 5 years of receiving the grant.
Commissioners approved the resignation letter of Trystyn Galindo who is currently the 4-H Youth Development agent at the Hockley County Extension Office.
In other business, commissioners approved the Mutual Aid Agreement for Complex Emergency Response and Investigative Planning as submitted by the Hockley County Sheriff. A mutual aid agreement is a contractual relationship between municipalities or agencies outlining the resources, including personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies that are provided in the event of an emergency need. These resources fill the capability gap among emergency service agencies.
Commissioners approved the resignation letter of Trystyn Galindo who is currently the 4-H Youth Development agent at the Hockley County Extension Office.
Additionally, commissioners approved the road crossing for Saddle Rim Energy (Texas), LLC on Horse Road in Precinct 1.
Regarding the approval of the music licensing agreement with the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC) for application to the County’s Mallet Event Center and Arena related to an event at the facility when it is rented to a third party, the license will be about $1,300 for both agreements annually, which was approved by the commissioners.
The court also reviewed the December 2025 fire runs for the county.