County, Microsoft terminate agreement

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

Medina County Commissioners Court met in regular session September 8. All court members were present. 

Agreement Termination

Commissioners approved an agreement to terminate the Chapter 381 Agreement dated July 13, 2021, between Microsoft Corporation and Medina County, TX.

The mutual Chapter 381 Agreement, became effective August 12, 2026. 

Since entering into 381 Agreements such as this one with Microsoft, the county became concerned with transparency issues Judge Lutz said. Other than the one the County and Microsoft agreed to terminate, there are  no others with Microsoft.

The 381 Agreement is different from the 312 Agreements the County has made with Rowan and CyrusOne.

The 10-year projection of the 381 Agreement with Microsoft shows the County receiving $1 million, but in reality it was only $200,000. 

On the other hand, “the 312 Agreement, like those the County made with Rowan and CyrusOne are transparent and show the County receiving $200,000 instead of  $1 million.

“While negotiating with Microsoft regarding the 381 Agreement,” Judge Lutz said,  “the two parties discussed  changing from the 381 Agreement to a 312 Agreement instead.

“However, “Microsoft will not make another agreement, and will not consider changing to a 312 Agreement. Instead, Microsoft agreed only to terminate the 381 Agreement,”said the judge.

Reserve Investigators

In a separate action, the court granted an Order authorizing the Medina County Criminal District Attorney to appoint reserve investigators in accord with Texas Government Code Section 41.102, establishing a numerical cap on such appointments and outlining related conditions.

The appointed individuals must meet all statutory qualifications to serve as unpaid, reserve investigators to assist with the official duties of the office, serve a public purpose and enhance local law enforcement capabilities.

The total number of active, volunteer reserve investigators appointed under this order must not exceed four. However, the Criminal DA cannot assign supplemental tasks to more than one unpaid reserve investigator during any given Medina County pay period.

In accord with the law, these volunteer reserve investigators will serve at the pleasure of the Criminal District Attorney. They will serve for civic, charitable or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for their services. Neither will they  receive a salary or financial compensation from the County unless approved expressly in a separate budget action by commissioners court.

Grant Application

Medina County Commissioners authorized submission of a grant application, requested by Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Marshal Mark Chadwick, to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)  Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) 2026-2027 Grant Program. The court’s approval also authorized the County Judge to execute appropriate documents regarding the grant application and accept the grant, if awarded.

“This is something new,” remarked Medina County Judge Keith Lutz. 

“The County is applying for an LEPC Grant totaling $7,000 ($4,000 for equipment, $1,500 for supplies and $1,500 for travel) for the following items that must meet  requirements of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). These (in order of importance) are:

• Two new laptops with access to Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO);

• Large laminated, wall Incident Command forms that  primarily provide the Public Information Officer (PIO) with information for notifications; and 

• Travel for two to attend the MGT-314 course  in College Station that provides specific training to enhance planning capabilities and focuses on emergency notifications as playing a vital role in enhanced operations that apply to hazardous chemical responses.

Treasurer’s Report

Commissioners approve the Accounts Payable report of $567,239.66 by County Treasurer Debra Graff.

In a separate action, the court approved the Disbursement of Funds since the last commissioners court August 24 for fuel, utilities and dental claims amounting to $12,265.63.

Graff’s Monthly Report, sanctioned by commissioners, showed a Cash Balance of $40,565,346.65 and Total Debt of $ 22,945,000.00.

The next commissioners court will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, September 21 in the Medina County Annex.