Commissioners Court Briefs
Here are items considered by the Young County Commissioners Court at its May 26 meeting.
Wildcatter awarded tourism promotion funding
Young County commissioners approved a plan to reinvest a portion of hotel occupancy tax revenue generated by Wildcatter Ranch into tourism promotion efforts.
Co-owners George and Kalli Doubleday presented a detailed proposal outlining Wildcatter’s participation in Travel Texas international marketing programs, including trade missions and familiarization tours that bring foreign visitors to Texas. Ms. Doubleday said international guests stay longer and spend more money than domestic tourists, benefiting businesses throughout Young County.
Commissioners approved a motion allocating 15 percent of the hotel occupancy taxes generated by Wildcatter in 2025 to support future Travel Texas marketing efforts. The funds will be distributed quarterly after Wildcatter provides reports detailing its tourism promotion activities and results.
Judge Win Graham noted that Wildcatter generates the majority of county hotel occupancy tax revenue and described the ranch as one of the county’s leading tourism ambassadors.
Retired county clerk hired to assist in audit Commissioners approved hiring former County Clerk Kate Harden on a contract basis at $25 per hour to help resolve discrepancies discovered during the county’s fiscal year 2025 audit.
County Auditor Ann Roberts said Harden had already spent time reviewing records and identified coding issues involving county clerk accounts and fund transfers. Ms. Roberts said Ms. Harden would help complete the audit process and restore coding structures that had been deleted, causing accounting problems.
The work will be funded through existing county clerk budget allocations.
Donations accepted for inmate work program
The court accepted $2,050 in donations for the Young County Jail inmate work program.
The donations included $250 from Hawkins Chapel Cemetery, $1,000 from Goose Neck Cemetery and $800 from True Cemetery. Officials said the funds help reimburse costs associated with inmate crews that mow, edge and maintain cemeteries and other properties throughout the county.
District judge research contract renewed
Commissioners approved renewing the district judge’s Thomson Reuters legal research contract despite an increase of approximately $474.49 per month.
Judge Graham said the service is used by the district judge for legal research and noted the increased cost would be addressed during upcoming budget discussions.
No action on burn restrictions
Commissioners took no action on county burn restrictions, leaving existing conditions unchanged.
Budget workshops set to begin
Before adjournment, Judge Graham reminded commissioners that the county’s first budget workshop would be held the following week as officials begin preparing the next fiscal year’s budget.
Food Truck Championship Is June 6 Commissioners received on the upcoming Food Truck Championship in Graham, scheduled for June 6 and featuring a lineup of food vendors, live music, and a visit from a member of Congress.
Country music artists Jack Ingram and Tyler Halverson are scheduled to perform.
Representatives of the Graham Chamber of Commerce also informed the court that U.S. Rep. Roger Williams is expected to attend the event.
The congressman is expected to arrive around 3 p.m. and participate in a meet-and-greet with local officials before appearing on stage prior to the food truck awards presentation.
The Food Truck Championship has become one of Graham’s largest annual events, drawing visitors from across Texas to downtown for food, entertainment and community activities.