Commissioner, Precinct 3· 2025-2028
Michael Raska
Grimes County
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 18
- Total speaking time
- 13:20
- Avg per meeting
- 0:44
- Segments
- 233
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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 Raska 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.
- movedpassed 4-02026-09-02
Motion to Adjourn
- seconded2026-08-19
Letter of Intent for Ambulance Purchase
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-19
Motion by Commissioner Chad Mallett to Approve consent agenda items one, two, and three: Treasurer's List of Claims and Bills, payroll, and budget amendments/line-item transfers.
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-19
Adjourn the meeting.
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-19
Annual Road Department Contracts
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-12
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner David Tullos, seconded by Commissioner Michael Raska.
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-10
Adjourn
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-05
IT Backup Solution Swap
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-08-05
Tax Abatement Agreement (EVAPCO, Inc.)
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed2026-08-05
Order of Election for November 3, 2026
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 5-02026-08-05
Approve consent agenda items one through eight
- secondedpassed 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
Texas Statewide Interoperable Channel Plan MOU
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 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 5-02026-08-05
Adjourn the meeting.
- secondedpassed 5-02026-07-27
Discuss and take action on Grimes County Capital Projects, to include the County Jail and other areas of concern
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- movedpassed 5-02026-07-27
Adjourn
- movedpassed 5-02026-07-24
Motion by Michael Raska to Adjourn.
- movedpassed 5-02026-07-15
Huitt-Zollars Bridge Design Contract Amendment
Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion
- secondedpassed 5-02026-07-15
Motion by Phillip Cox to Adjourn.
Decisions during term (345)
Recorded while Raska 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 (91)
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
Voted in favor of adopting Option One.