The Tyler County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved the resignation of Pct. 3 Commissioner Mike Marshall, who has served the county for 30 years, 18 of them as an elected official. Marshall announced his retirement at the end of September. County Judge Milton Powers read a letter from Marshall thanking colleagues, staff and constituents. Marshall said, "This was a hard decision to make." The court then appointed Pct. 1 Commissioner Joe Blacksher as Judge Pro-Tem. Powers said that post has historically gone to the longest-serving commissioner.
The commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Tyler County Hospital District for the Rural Texas Strong Initiative, which the Texas Health and Human Services Commission funds. Hospital CEO Sondra Williams said the project will help residents with nutrition, education, fresh produce and chronic disease prevention, with a focus on obesity, diabetes and older residents who face transportation or other barriers to care. Williams said the county-owned Nutrition Center will serve as the hub.
John Thomas of Linebarger Law Firm presented on delinquent tax collections from July 2025 through June 30. He said the firm sent warning notices and the county filed 142 new lawsuits to collect $753K in late taxes. Thomas said 317 suits, representing $1.4 million, are pending. He said Tyler County's property tax deferrals are slightly lower than many counties, and bankruptcies are about average. Collections were 41% for the period.