Bandera County Commissioners approved the adoption of four new road names, a countywide technology upgrade and several budget transfers during their regular meeting on April 10. Commissioner Greg Grothues was absent.
A public hearing was held to gather community feedback on proposed road names required for 911 and rural addressing. With no comments received, the court approved all four road names as published in the Bulletin on April 2. In Precinct 2, Grand Blvd., Jade Ave. and Copper Trace were approved as new road names off Park Road 37. In Precinct 1, Carousel Ct. was approved off Roller Coaster Road.
The court also approved a request from the county’s IT director to fund 54 new computer systems and 260 Microsoft Office 2024 software licenses. The upgrade is required due to Microsoft’s announcement that support for Windows 10 and Office 2019 will end on Oct. 14, 2025.
“No security updates, no system updates, nothing,” the IT director said. “We gotta replace all that software on all 277 computers.”
The new hardware includes 30 highperformance machines to support video playback from body and vehicle cameras, which current systems cannot handle efficiently. Older machines that are still functional will be refurbished for other county use, and 61 incompatible systems will be removed from service.
County Judge Richard Evans added, “Apparently Bill Gates doesn’t have enough money so he’s making sure we’re going to have to spend a lot of money to upgrade Microsoft.” He also noted that failure to upgrade would void the county’s insurance coverage.
To fund the $175,149 purchase, the Commissioners approved budget line item transfers, including $148,442 from the general fund, $19,566 from EMS, $2,274 from Roads and Bridges, and $4,867 from the Juvenile Probation Department.
The court also approved a donation of two steel doors, previously removed from the EMS station, to the Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department for use in a new building addition. The donation was made in accordance with Local Government Code sections 263.152 and 352.002.
In other business, Commissioners accepted a $1,450 donation from the Law Offices of Henry Gates Steen Jr., P.C., to support the 2024 county employee party. Judge Evans described the contribution as a reimbursement.
Commissioners also approved a preliminary plat for Lot 8 of the Green Oak Estates Subdivision, receiving no public comment. A public hearing followed regarding the replat of Lots 581 and 582 in Unit 5B of the Bridlegate Subdivision into a single lot. No opposition was voiced, and the replat was approved.
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