Commissioners Approve Agreement For Medical Supplies Through Surplus Program

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners Court authorized the Hays County Constable, Pct. 4 Office to enter into a state plan of operation agreement for certain excess Department of Defense property.

The procurement is part of the Law Enforcement Support Office Program administered by the Defense Logistics Agency.

Two residents spoke against the county’s participation in the program citing the county’s ‘lack of need’ to provide local law enforcement with weapons of war.

According to Commissioner Walt Smith, Precinct 4 has used the program to acquire a total of 61 items since 2016; 59 of those items were medical-related including bandages, splints, surgical masks, ventilators and more.

Of the two non-medical items, one was an insect face mask, Smith said.  

“We’ve had this conversation I think five or six times on this very specific program,” Smith said. “Since I’ve been here for the last year and a half, we’ve had this conversation on this very specific program. I think it’s a conversation that if anyone took the time to look back at the discussions we’ve had over the past year, it’s very obvious what our county has used this program for.”  

The contract must be adopted on an annual basis for each law enforcement agency.

Constable Ron Hood said the department uses the medical equipment for providing relief and services to the community as well as for first aid training purposes.

“The equipment we are procuring isn’t your assault rifles, isn’t your weapons, your m-wraps, this is the equipment I don’t have a need for,” Hood said. “I’m not looking at those items. I’m not looking at the helicopters, the planes, I’m looking at equipment that can fit the need of precinct 4.”

According to Smith, Dripping Springs has expressed interest in obtaining a military 2 ½ ton vehicle to help with flood events; the city’s emergency services has volunteered to handle maintenance and storage of the vehicle on behalf of the county.

Precinct 4 has reviewed available vehicles through the program but has yet to acquire one; officials said they have not found a vehicle worth making the necessary repairs to.

The court voted unanimously to approve the agreement.