The Palo Pinto County Commissioners Court met Tuesday morning under the direction of County Judge Shane Long, addressing election matters, new equipment for law enforcement, and multiple development approvals.
Petition Drive Launched to Legalize Alcohol Countywide
Election Administrator Laura Watkins presented two applications that could lead to a November 2026 election on legalizing the sale of alcoholic beverages throughout Palo Pinto County.
The first petition seeks to legalize the sale of wine by holders of winery permits, while the second would legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed drinks. Watkins said the process aims to “wet up the whole county” by removing the patchwork of wet and dry areas that still exist in parts of Palo Pinto County.
The applications were filed by Martha Goleman, a longtime county employee retiring this week. Watkins said Goleman will oversee the petition drive and collect voter signatures outside the Palo Pinto County Annex during early voting. Both petitions were unanimously approved.
New Body Cameras for Constables Approved
Precinct 3 Constable Johnny McKee presented a proposal to equip all county constables and deputy constables with Coban Technologies body cameras under a five-year subscription.
The total contract cost is a little over $34,000 over five years, with the first year totaling about $5,900 to cover setup, cloud storage, and training. McKee said the cameras automatically upload video to secure cloud storage, and the subscription allows the county to adjust or expand service after the first year. Commissioners approved the purchase unanimously.
Eagle’s Crest Subdivision Receives Final Plat Approval
Commissioners approved the final plat for Eagle’s Crest Subdivision, a 10 acre development on South Keller Road that will create nine residential lots.
According to a review letter from Burgess & Niple engineer Amanda Frazier, the subdivision meets the county’s subdivision ordinance requirements. Each lot will rely on private groundwater wells for water service and on-site septic systems for wastewater. The development includes a 50-foot right-of-way along Kenzi Drive, a proposed private road connecting to South Keller Road, a paved county road.
The county’s engineer recommended approval after verifying compliance with setback, water, and sewer standards.
Preliminary Plat Approved for Loving Road Subdivision
The Court also approved a preliminary plat for Loving Road Estates, a proposed 46.9-acre subdivision that will create 19 lots, all larger than five acres, in Precinct 2. The lots will be accessed via an existing county road and a new private road named Greenbriar Lane. Like Eagle’s Crest, the development will use private water wells and septic systems.
Other Business
- Commissioners voted to extend the countywide burn ban, citing continued dry and windy weather.
- A resolution was approved authorizing Palo Pinto County to participate in a Foreign Trade Zone service area intended to promote regional economic development.
- A change order for the wastewater treatment plant’s electrical design was approved with no change to the total project budget.
- Routine items included approval of election judges for the 2025–26 cycle, multiple election service contracts with local school districts and utility districts, renewal of the County Choice Silver retiree medical plan, and adoption of the 2026 TCDRS retirement plan.
- Commissioners discussed but took no action on the proposed Ranger Ridge Municipal Utility District, noting that no formal request had been received from the developer.
Mineral Wells Area News created this news report with the assistance of Plaud and Claud Technology and verified by a human.