City of Hardin Texas public meetings in 2023
19 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold a regular meeting on December 11, 2023, to consider routine approvals (minutes, bills, financials) and several action items, including an 8% sewer rate increase, an invoice for the Liberty ARPA project, and a pay raise for the City Secretary. The council will also enter executive session to discuss a lawsuit with Liberty and personnel matters.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202329578 for $4,000.00 for Liberty ARPA project
- Approve Ordinance 2023-12-01 for annual sewer rate increase of 8%
- Review Ordinance 2009/11#32, Sections 1.6 & 1.7(B)(C) for date discrepancy
- Approve City Hall opening at 10am on Fridays for staff cleaning
- Approve pay increase for City Secretary
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold a regular meeting to consider routine items such as approving minutes, bills, and financials, as well as specific actions including paying an LJA invoice for the Liberty ARPA project, casting votes for the Liberty County Central Appraisal District Board director, and reviewing an invoice from Josh Fitzgerald. The council will also discuss HWSC interference with disconnects and enter executive session to consult with the attorney about the Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit and personnel matters.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202327415 for $2,000.00 for Liberty ARPA project
- Resolution for votes for Director of Liberty County Central Appraisal District Board
- Review and decide payment of invoice from Josh Fitzgerald
- Discussion of HWSC interference with disconnects
- Executive session on Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit and personnel
The City Council approved routine items including October minutes, November bills, and October financials, all unanimously. It also approved a $2,000 invoice from LJA for the Liberty ARPA project (3-1) and approved an invoice from Josh Fitzgerald (3-1). Items on the appraisal district director resolution and executive session topics (lawsuit, personnel, HWSC disconnect interference) were discussed only, with no action taken.
- Approved Special Called Meeting minutes from October 16, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved bills to be paid for November 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved financials for October 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved LJA Invoice 202327415 for $2,000.00 for Liberty ARPA project (3-1)
- Approved payment of invoice from Josh Fitzgerald (3-1)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will meet to approve minutes, bills, and financials, and take action on several items including a $4,000 invoice, a resolution nominating a board member, and sewer system repairs. The council will also discuss extending a contract with IUO and address citizen complaints about fees and sewer bills.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202322594 for $4,000.00
- Approve resolution nominating Hardin ISD Board Member Charles Bolds to Central Appraisal District’s Board
- Approve sewer repairs: CR 2016 line cleaning ($3,787.39), plugging 6” line ($2,240.75), and replacing pump starters at Lift Station H ($3,800.00)
- Discuss extending contract with IUO for 3 additional years
- Address citizen complaints about water/sewer fees and refund requests
The Hardin City Council approved routine items including minutes, bills, financials, an LJA invoice, a resolution nominating Charles Bolds to the appraisal district board, and a 3-year IUO contract extension. Sewer work was approved for plugging a line and replacing lift station pump starters, while a sewer cleaning/camera job was tabled. A $35 credit was issued to a resident for a reconnect fee.
- Approved September 11 regular meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved September 11 budget hearing minutes (all in favor)
- Approved September 11 tax hearing minutes (all in favor)
- Approved October 2023 bills for payment (all in favor)
- Approved September 2023 financials (all in favor)
- Approved LJA Invoice 202322594 for $4,000 (all in favor)
- Approved resolution nominating Charles Bolds to Central Appraisal District board (all in favor)
- Approved IUO contract extension for 3 years (all in favor)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold its regular meeting to approve minutes, bills, and financials, and to discuss several action items including a $6,000 invoice, sewer bill adjustments, and fence replacement quotes. They will also enter executive session to consult with the attorney regarding the Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202319898 for $6,000 under Project# E110-0010
- Discuss sewer bill adjustment for Jason and Jamie Garza (livestock watering)
- Discuss sewer charge waiver for Isra Abuyaman (no plumbing fixtures)
- Review four quotes to tear down and replace fence beside and behind city hall
- Executive session on Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit
The Hardin City Council approved the August 14 and August 21 meeting minutes, September 2023 bills, August 2023 financials, and an LJA invoice for $6,000. Two sewer bill adjustment requests died due to lack of motion, and a presentation by Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center was discussion only.
- Approved Regular Called Meeting Minutes from August 14, 2023 (all in favor)
- Approved Special Called Meeting Minutes from August 21, 2023 (all in favor)
- Approved bills to be paid for September 2023 (all in favor)
- Approved financials for August 2023 (all in favor)
- Approved LJA Invoice 202319898 for $6,000 and Mayor Johnson to sign (all in favor)
- Sewer bill adjustment for Jason and Jamie Garza died due to lack of motion
- Sewer charge waiver for Isra Abuyaman died due to lack of motion
City Council
The Hardin City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss and possibly take action on two items: a revised Settlement Agreement and a revised Find It Or Fix It Ordinance. The meeting is open to public comments limited to agenda items.
- Review revised Settlement Agreement
- Review revised Find It Or Fix It Ordinance
- Public comments on agenda items (3-minute limit)
The City Council approved the revised Find It or Fix It Ordinance. A review of a revised Settlement Agreement was tabled pending answers from the City Attorney.
- Approved revised Find It or Fix It Ordinance (All in favor)
- Tabled revised Settlement Agreement (All in favor)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes, bills, and financials, and to discuss several action items including a $12,000 invoice for engineering services, a refund request for a disconnect fee, and a complaint about ditch maintenance. The council will also enter executive session to discuss a lawsuit with Liberty and personnel matters.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202317136 for $12,000 under Project E110-0010
- Consider refunding Lana Webb's $35 disconnect fee and late fees
- Discuss cleaning and mowing ditches behind the post office along CR 2003N
- Approve minutes from July 17, 2023 special called meeting
- Executive session on Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit
The Hardin City Council approved routine items including minutes, bills, and financials, and authorized payment of an LJA invoice. A request to refund a disconnect fee was denied, and a complaint about ditch mowing died without a motion. After executive session, the council approved Ordinance 2023-0814 and a revised Employee Handbook.
- Approved Special Called Meeting minutes from July 17, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved bills to be paid for August 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved financials for July 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved LJA Invoice 202317136 for $12,000 and authorized Mayor's signature (unanimous)
- Denied refund of $35 disconnect fee and late fees (3-2)
- Approved Ordinance 2023-0814 (Find It Fix It Credit) (unanimous)
- Approved Employee Handbook Revised July 2023 with change to Progressive Discipline Procedure (unanimous)
City Council
The Hardin City Council is holding a special meeting to consider routine approvals (minutes, bills, financials) and several action items, including payment of a $21,735 wastewater engineering invoice, a $3,490.11 generator maintenance bid, and changes to returned payment fees. The council will also discuss two citizen complaints and enter executive session to consult with the attorney about the Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit.
- Approve LJA Invoice 202313440 for $21,735.00 for wastewater engineering services (Project #E110-0010, ARPA)
- Review Hardin Diesel and Machinery bid for twice-yearly generator maintenance at $3,490.11 total
- Motion to rescind prior action on returned payments/returned check fee from June 20, 2023 meeting
- Proposed ordinance change: replace $35 returned check fee and $5 Payclix fee with a single $50 Returned Payment Fee
- Proposed ordinance: customers with 2 returned payments in 6 months must pay cash or money order for 6 months
The City Council approved several financial payments and updated ordinances regarding returned payment fees. They also approved a maintenance bid for city generators and modified the employee handbook.
- Approved June 20th, 2023 Special Called Meeting Minutes
- Approved July 2023 bills
- Approved June 2023 financials
- Approved $21,735.00 LJA Invoice for wastewater engineering services
- Approved $3,490.11 Hardin Diesel and Machinery maintenance bid
- Rescinded June 20, 2023 action on returned payments and returned check fee
- Approved $50.00 returned payment fee and eliminated $5.00 and $35.00 fees
- Approved ordinance changing accounts to cash/money order only after 2 returned payments in 6 months
City Council
The City of Hardin City Council regular meeting originally scheduled for July 10, 2023 has been rescheduled to Monday, July 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The agenda contains no other substantive items; it is procedural notice only.
- Meeting rescheduled from July 10 to July 17, 2023
City Council
The City Council will consider several infrastructure and administrative items, including road repair estimates and generator maintenance bids. They will also discuss potential changes to sewer deposits and fees for returned payments.
- LJA Invoice for $9,000.00 for wastewater engineering services
- Generator maintenance bids from Clifford Power ($3,182.40) and Hardin Diesel and Machinery ($4,645.11)
- Proposed increase of sewer deposit from $64.00 to $150.00
- $11,201.00 material estimate for CR 2365 road overlay
- Review of returned payment handling for checks, e-checks, and credit cards
The Hardin City Council approved meeting minutes and bills, authorized an LJA invoice for wastewater engineering, and changed policies regarding returned payments by eliminating e-checks and raising NSF fees. The council also raised the sewer deposit amount to $150 effective August 15, 2023, and appointed Joshua Fitzgerald as the city's Municipal Court Judge. Several items regarding generator maintenance, building permits, and citizen road complaints were tabled.
- Approved Regular Called Meeting Minutes from May 8th, 2023
- Approved Special Called Meeting Minutes from June 1st, 2023
- Approved bills to be paid for June 2023
- Approved financials for May 2023
- Approved Mayor Johnson signing off on LJA Invoice 202311168 for $9,000.00
- Discontinued accepting e-checks for payments
- Changed ordinance to mandate cash or money order for 6 months after 2 NSF fees in 6 months, and increased NSF fee from $35.00 to $50.00
- Changed sewer deposit from $64.00 to $150.00, effective August 15, 2023
City Council
The City Council will consider several items including wastewater engineering payments, generator maintenance bids, and road repair estimates. The meeting also includes discussions on adjusting sewer deposits and addressing citizen complaints regarding drainage and road conditions.
- Approval of $9,000.00 LJA invoice for wastewater engineering services
- Review of generator maintenance bids from Clifford Power ($3,182.40) and Hardin Diesel and Machinery ($4,645.11)
- Proposal to increase sewer deposit from $64.00 to $150.00
- $11,201.00 material estimate for CR 2365 road overlay
- Discussion of returned payment charges for checks, e-checks, and credit cards
City Council
The City of Hardin City Council is holding a special meeting to swear in three incumbents who ran unopposed, after the May 6, 2023 election was cancelled under Texas Election Law. The agenda includes public comments and the swearing-in ceremony.
- Election cancelled for May 6, 2023; all 3 incumbents ran unopposed
- Swear in Harry Johnson as Mayor
- Swear in Chris Goodwin as Mayor Pro Tem
- Swear in Harvey Finley for Council Seat #5
City Council
The Hardin City Council will review and vote on routine minutes, bills, and financials, plus approve payments for wastewater engineering services and generator maintenance. They will also discuss vacant property enforcement, resident complaints about roads and nuisances, and sewer infrastructure repairs.
- Approve payment for LJA Invoice 202307269 for Wastewater Engineering Services ($1160.25 + $650.00 + $1,500.00)
- Approve quote for Planned Maintenance on city generators ($3,182.40)
- Discuss replacing outside mailbox at Hardin Post Office for drive-through mail drop-off
- Address enforcement of vacant property registration failures
- Approve repairs for Lift Station D gate valve ($1160.25) and Maddox Grinder Pump electrical box ($650.00) and rewiring ($1,500.00)
The City Council approved routine items including meeting minutes, May bills, April financials, and an LJA wastewater engineering invoice. It tabled a $3,182.40 generator maintenance quote to seek other bids, and approved a $1,500 sewer repair for the Maddox grinder pump. Several citizen complaints were discussed with actions such as sending letters or obtaining estimates.
- Approved April 10, 2023 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved May 4, 2023 special meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved May 2023 bills to be paid (unanimous)
- Approved April 2023 financials (unanimous)
- Approved LJA Invoice 202307269 for wastewater engineering services (unanimous)
- Tabled Clifford Power generator maintenance quote of $3,182.40 pending other bids
- Approved $1,500 Maddox grinder pump repair (unanimous)
City Council
The City of Hardin City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss and potentially approve a settlement agreement, an amended wastewater contract, and an agreed final judgment with the City of Liberty. They will also consider appointing Josh Fitzgerald as Municipal Court Judge. The meeting includes public comments limited to agenda items.
- Discuss and take action on Josh Fitzgerald becoming Municipal Court Judge
- Approve Settlement Agreement with City of Liberty
- Approve Amended Wastewater Contract with City of Liberty
- Approve Agreed Final Judgement with City of Liberty
The Hardin City Council voted unanimously to have the city attorney draft a one-year contract to hire Josh Fitzgerald as Municipal Court Judge. The council also unanimously authorized the mayor to sign a settlement agreement and agreed final judgment with the City of Liberty, following an executive session on the lawsuit.
- Approved drafting contract to hire Josh Fitzgerald as Municipal Court Judge for one year (unanimous)
- Authorized Mayor Johnson to sign Settlement Agreement and Agreed Final Judgment with City of Liberty (unanimous)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes, bills, and financials, and discuss several local issues including a sanitation company buyout, a vacant property fee exemption, and sewer-related repairs at two addresses. The council will also enter executive session to discuss legal matters and grants.
- Approve bills for April 2023
- Approve financials for March 2023
- Consider Piney Woods Sanitation buyout and acknowledgment letter with new company
- Discuss vacant property exemption and/or fee exemption request at 277 CR 2003 N
- Approve $1,160.25 quote to replace gate valve and gaskets at Lift Station D
The City Council approved the March 13, 2023 meeting minutes, April 2023 bills, and March 2023 financials. It also approved Mayor Johnson signing an acknowledgment letter for the Piney Woods Sanitation buyout with the new company under the same terms. Several items were discussed only, including a vacant property exemption request and sewer issues, with the Lift Station D valve replacement tabled to May 2023.
- Approved March 13, 2023 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved April 2023 bills to be paid (all in favor)
- Approved March 2023 financials (all in favor)
- Approved Mayor Johnson signing Piney Woods Sanitation buyout acknowledgment letter (all in favor)
- Tabled Lift Station D gate valve replacement ($1,160.28 quote) until May 2023
City Council
The Hardin City Council will hold its regular meeting on March 13, 2023, to consider routine approvals (minutes, bills, financials) and several action items. Key discussions include a resident's request to clean ditches and culverts on CR 2362, sewer repairs with quoted costs, and a proposal to rescind the annual 1% to 3% pay increase policy adopted in May 2021. The council will also enter executive session for legal and personnel matters, including a lawsuit and employee handbook changes.
- Rescind annual pay increases of 1% to 3% from May 10, 2021 meeting
- Ditch and culvert cleaning on CR 2362 due to drainage issues
- Replace 4-inch check valve at Lift Station D ($930.00 quote)
- Replace 4-inch check valve at Lift Station C ($1,100.40 quote)
- Install city side cleanout at 10182 Highway 146 N ($675.00 quote)
Council approved several sewer infrastructure repairs and authorized the city attorney to find a city engineer. The board also rescinded a 2021 action regarding annual pay increases and approved revisions to the employee handbook.
- Approved replacing 4” check valve at Lift Station D for $930.00 (All in favor)
- Approved replacing 4” gate valve at Lift Station C for $1,100.40 (All in favor)
- Approved installing city side cleanout at 10182 Highway 146 N for $675.00 (All in favor)
- Authorized city attorney to seek a city engineer at a cost of $10,000.00 or less (All in favor)
- Rescinded May 10, 2021 action regarding annual pay increases of 1% to 3% (All in favor)
- Approved revisions to the employee handbook (All in favor)
- Approved March 2023 bills and February 2023 financials (All in favor)
- Approved meeting minutes from Feb 13, Feb 24, and March 1, 2023 (All in favor)
City Council
The Hardin City Council is holding a special meeting to consider cancelling the May 6, 2023 election because the three incumbents up for reelection are running unopposed. The council will also discuss the Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit in executive session and may take action on it afterward.
- Approve Order of Cancellation for May 6, 2023 election (unopposed incumbents)
- Executive session on Liberty vs Hardin lawsuit
- Public comments limited to agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker
The City Council approved an Order of Cancellation for the May 6, 2023, election because the three incumbents running for reelection are unopposed. The council also held an executive session to discuss a lawsuit between Liberty and Hardin.
- Approved Order of Cancellation for May 6, 2023 election (All in favor)
City Council
The City of Hardin City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and take action on a single item: a $73,544.16 invoice from the City of Liberty for sewer overages in January 2023. The meeting is procedural with no additional agenda items.
- Payment of $73,544.16 to City of Liberty for sewer overages (January 2023)
The City Council held a special called meeting on February 24, 2023. The council voted to approve payment for a January 2023 sewer overage invoice from the City of Liberty, with Council Member Chris Goodwin opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
- Approved payment of City of Liberty Invoice CH 2023-01 for sewer overages of $73,544.16 (3-1 vote, with Goodwin opposed)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will meet to approve minutes, bills, and contracts, including a lawn maintenance renewal. They will also discuss sewer complaints from residents, potential fund transfers for January overages, and sewer infrastructure issues. Public comments are limited to agenda items.
- Renewal of Lawn Maintenance Contract with Ricky Sackett for 2023-2024 (no rate changes)
- Citizen complaint about potholes on CR 2368
- Sewer backup complaint from Milton 'Tony' Ziriax (since 2005)
- Leak adjustment requests: Barbara Brown ($54.00 credit) and Connie Tousha ($157.21 credit)
- January overages of $73,544.16 to be addressed via CD account or General Fund
The City Council approved the January 9 meeting minutes, the February 2023 bills (minus a struck City of Liberty overages bill), and renewed the lawn maintenance contract with Ricky Sackett for 2023-2024 with no rate changes. They also approved a 3% ($0.42) annual raise for the billing clerk after executive session. Several items were tabled, including a pothole complaint, the overages funding decision, and a sewer cleanout request. A leak adjustment request for Connie Tousha received no motion and was not approved.
- Approved January 9, 2023 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved February 2023 bills, striking City of Liberty overages invoice #CH 2023-01 for $73,544.16 (all in favor)
- Renewed lawn maintenance contract with Ricky Sackett for 2023-2024, no rate changes (all in favor)
- Tabled pothole complaint on CR 2368 until next month (all in favor)
- Approved sending letter to Milton Ziriax reiterating options from June 5, 2005 letter (all in favor)
- Approved $54 credit to Barbara Brown's account for leak adjustment and late fee removal (all in favor)
- Tabled overages funding decision until next month (all in favor)
- Tabled city sewer cleanout for 10182 Highway 146 N pending IUO quote (all in favor)
City Council
The Hardin City Council will meet to approve minutes, bills, and final payments for the 2021 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project. They will also review completion certificates and hold an executive session regarding ongoing sewer litigation with Liberty.
- Approve Regular Called Meeting Minutes from December 12, 2022
- Approve bills for January 2023
- Approve $22,966.20 payment to King Solution for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 (Pay Estimate #4)
- Approve $31,361.15 final payment to King Solution for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 (Pay Estimate #5)
- Review completion certificates for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 project
The Hardin City Council approved routine items including prior meeting minutes and January 2023 bills. It authorized two payments to King Solution for the CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 project, including the final payment, and signed off on the Certificate of Acceptance after reviewing completion documents. A TDEM liaison introduced himself for discussion only.
- Approved minutes from December 12, 2022 meeting (all in favor)
- Approved bills to be paid for January 2023 (all in favor)
- Approved King Solution Pay Estimate #4 for $22,966.20 for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 (all in favor)
- Approved King Solution Pay Estimate #5 (FINAL) for $31,361.15 for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 (all in favor)
- Approved signing Certificate of Acceptance for CDBG Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation 2021 after review (all in favor)