Howard County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Howard County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County Floodplain Regulations and Permitting
The county still runs floodplain decisions off a 2013 order with no real permit process, leaving the judge to sign off on technical documents he says he doesn't understand; a $30,000 Halff system would fix that before development pressure (like a proposed I-20 retail project) hits.
Lawsuit Against County Officials
A confusingly drafted lawsuit names county officials, the City of Big Spring, CAD, and others; the court approved spending taxpayer money on outside lawyers to respond.
Road Department Equipment and Bids
Road crews finished CR 54 and CR 12 work, and two unsold sheriff vehicles head back to auction; a new fleet manager position will professionalize vehicle management.
Library Renovation Project
The renovation is nearly done; the court approved final film work and a large payment to pay subcontractors, with a short punch list (paint touch-ups, speaker reinstall) still open.
25th Street Drainage Master Plan
Drainage plans for 25th Street — tied to a city engineering failure — will proceed at 60% design this year, with the remainder funded next year.
National Weather Service Communications Equipment on South Mountain Tower
The National Weather Service wants to mount severe weather broadcasting gear on the county's South Mountain tower. Commissioners are worried about outside federal technicians walking inside the county's secure communications building where millions of dollars in emergency equipment are housed, so they are exploring building a separate shed outside the fence.
Roadway Maintenance and Dust Control
The road and bridge department is actively working on shoulder widening, clearing fallen trees from storms, and repairing roads damaged by heavy traffic and weather.
Election Technology Upgrades
The Elections Administrator secured approval to upgrade pollbook software and hardware to comply with Senate Bill 2753, ensuring smooth voter check-in across expanded polling locations.
Data Center Water Impact
Water district officials briefed the court on active wells and regulatory rules, touching on how upcoming data center projects might affect local water supplies.
Employee Health Insurance Renewal and Benefits
During the afternoon workshop, county financial officers presented the 2026-2027 health insurance renewal options from the Texas Association of Counties. The court voted to keep the current health plan.