County Judge· 2017-2026
Joe Fauth III
Grimes County
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 37
- Total speaking time
- 17:33:37
- Avg per meeting
- 28:29
- Segments
- 23000
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Top issues during term (20)
FY 2027 Budget Planning
Involves multi-million dollar reserves and department-wide expenditures.
infrastructure development
Upgrading the grid to handle these data centers could cost millions, which might end up shifting onto local taxpayers and utility customers.
Ambulance Fleet Expansion
Grant applications seek $350,000 for new ambulances.
Industrial Development Oversight
Potential tax abatements and economic incentives under discussion, alongside significant infrastructure costs.
County Employee Compensation
Impacts county operating expenses and taxpayer funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
County Burn Ban Continuation
Reduces potential emergency response costs associated with uncontrolled brush fires.
Early Voting Access
New equipment purchases utilize federal HAVA grant funds and reduce ongoing absentee ballot printing expenses.
Jail Population and Operational Shortfall
$15,000 transferred from the county contingency fund.
Road Safety and Mud Tracking on Highway 30
Potential future costs for road maintenance or coordination with state transportation officials.
Certification of November 3, 2026 Gubernatorial Election Results
While the elections themselves don't cost extra, the new officials' policy decisions could shift how your local tax dollars are spent.
SpaceX Semiconductor Facility Proposal
Potentially billions in capital investment and significant shifts in county tax revenue depending on negotiated abatement terms.
Development Oversight and Permit Staffing
Staffing additions involve tens of thousands of dollars in salary and equipment costs.
Creation of County Fire Marshal Office and Fire Code Adoption
Covered under existing operational budgets for the Fire Marshal's office.
Replacement of Damaged Road Maintenance Equipment
Up to $195,824.14 drawn from fund balance, potentially offset by insurance reimbursements.
SpaceX Semiconductor Facility Negotiations
Potential multi-million dollar tax abatements and economic incentives for a massive industrial facility.
Grimes County Animal Rescue Facility Maintenance
The court is considering a $20,000 operational budget for the rescue, with additional funds to be determined for building maintenance.
Road Department Restructuring
Allocates capital funds for road construction, repairs, and grant-funded infrastructure projects.
economic development incentive
The committee will influence future tax revenue by reviewing abatement requests.
zoning change
It boosts local economic activity and could bring in more tax revenue as the business expands.
County Road 206 Paving and Dust Concerns
Paving the additional half-mile section would require reallocating road department funds or budget adjustments.
Moved or seconded (40)
Motions III personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.
- secondedpassed 4-02026-09-02
Motion to Adjourn
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-26
to approve the request
- secondedpassed 4-02026-08-26
FY 2027 Salary Scale Adjustments
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed2026-08-19
initiate a burn ban effective immediately and to exempt cooking fires conducted on appropriate surfaces with proper extinguishing materials present
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-19
Authorize a burn ban effective this date, with an exemption for cooking fires (barbecue pits, grills, closed cooking appliances) conducted on dirt or concrete surfaces with proper …
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-05
Discussion and action on the designation and creation of EVAPCO Reinvestment Zone No. 2026-001 pursuant to Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-05
Consider and take action to appoint Election Day Judges, Early Voting Ballot Board and Central Counting Station Members for a one-year term. Grimes County IT Director - Gregg Cannon (JF)
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-05
Consider and approve Walker County Interlocal Agreement for FY 27 and authorize the County Judge as signatory. Grimes County Judge - Joe Fauth III
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-07-15
Add Radios to BVWACS
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-06-17
Discuss and take action on proposed Fire Marshal Fee Schedule. Grimes County Attorney - Megan Barcak
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-06-17
Approve to stay with the TAC insurance provider moving forward wth Option Two (2) with increases along the way Plan 1300-NG, Rx-4A-NG.
- movedpassed 5-02026-06-17
Approve to proceed to pay for this as a report and not as a claim and ask that the funds be taken out of fund balance as this was an unforeseen emergency.
- movedpassed 5-02026-06-17
Discuss and take action to appoint a fire marshal and set the required bond amount. It is expected that Commissioners Court will convene a closed or executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discip
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-06-03
Acceptance of Farm Bureau Donation
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-05-27
Appointment of Permanent Committee Members
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-05-20
GPS Tracking for Game Warden
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-05-20
Consideration and possible action to approve the use of the Lions Club Building by the Grimes County Master Gardeners for regularly scheduled meetings and determine fee schedule. Grimes County Engineer - Jon Steiber (JF)
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-05-20
Approve a line item transfer out of 424 Contingency for $1000 to be transferred over to the Treasurers Dept once the bills are submitted so they can be paid and giving the County A…
- movedpassed 5-02026-05-06
Designation of Courthouse Event Coordinator
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-04-21
Approve Committee Structure Changes
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
Decisions during term (345)
Recorded while III was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Agenda Items (Items 1-6)
Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day Proclamation
Interlocal Agreement with Town of Anderson for Fire Marshal Services
Interlocal Agreement with Town of Bedias for Fire Marshal Services
Establish Fund 75 Sheriff's Forfeiture Account
JustFOIA Software Contract
Motorola MSA Agreement for WatchGuard SaaS
UVT Drone Terms and Conditions Document
VC3 Master Services Agreement
eForce License Agreement
Watch Systems LLC Master Services Agreement
Covert Software Master Services Agreement
Road Department Report
PlanetBids Contract
Child Welfare Board Resignation and Appointments
Indigent Defense Program Grant Resolution
Take action to renew and amend annual contracts.
Consider and take action to approve payroll.
Consider and take action to approve Budget Amendments and/or Line-Item Transfers.
Consent Agenda Approval
Voting record (79)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Motion by County Judge Joe Fauth to Approve option two for the TCOLE salary structure in the FY 2027 budget, adding a $4 per hour increase to the current salary structure for all TCOLE employees acros
Motion by Commissioner Chad Mallett to Approve option one for the TCOLE salary structure in the FY 2027 budget, moving patrol deputies' current year midpoint to the min and adding a $4 per hour increa
Adopt the proposed FY 2026/2027 budget for Grimes County with the changes discussed, pursuant to Local Government Code Section 111.008.
Adopt the tax rate for Grimes County for Tax Year 2026 at $0.3950 per $100 taxable valuation ($0.3950 for maintenance and operations, $0.0000 for debt service), pursuant to Local Government Code Secti
TCOLE Salary Option Vote
Favored Option Two for broader salary scale adjustments across TCOLE positions.