Williamson County Commissioners Court members Tuesday, Oct. 15, will consider renewing a contract with RippnerTennis under the county’s Parks Department after earlier delaying a vote when a resident voiced concerns over the program’s management.
The item, which was pulled during a commissioners’ meeting last week, called for the first of three one-year renewals for the contract with RippnerTennis, founded in 2007 by former professional player Brie Rippner.
RippnerTennis serves Travis and Williamson counties, with facilities located at the South Austin Tennis Center, Pharr Tennis Center and Williamson County Tennis Center. The centers are open to the public and there are no membership fees.
But Barbara McGary — who indicated she spoke on behalf of various area tennis organizations — told commissioners about perceived negative changes that have occurred since the contract was first signed with Williamson County.
Describing herself as a tennis player, team captain and a volunteer trainer for over 20 years, McGary said the county tennis program was in “turmoil.”
McGary said RippnerTennis focuses on professional play rather than matches from community teams, suggesting the practice was antithetical to the spirit of a public enterprise. She said community tennis groups often must find facilities in South Austin and elsewhere to play rather than in their own communities.
The Taylor Press has reached out to RippnerTennis for comment.
“We offer a wide array of over 300 classes each week, all available at reasonable a la carte prices,” according to the RippnerTennis website.
McGary said she was prepared to present a petition “with over 1,000 signatures” and fill the commissioners’ chamber with supporters.
County Judge Bill Gravell tabled the item until this week.
“That will afford you an opportunity to communicate with different members of the court, if they choose to talk to you about this matter,” he told McGary. “Let me say it a different way: I am pulling this off for one week; you better prove your case in the next seven days.”
Until McGary spoke up, the agenda item seemed destined for a unanimous vote.
“The Parks Department has confirmed that the vendor met all county requirements for this contract and requests renewal,” an accompanying county document read.
The postponed agreement called for extending the contract through September 2025.
Signing off on vendor contracts, lease extension In other matters, commissioners approved paying Strategic Government Resources Inc. $28,419 to help the county search for an Emergency Medical Services director. In correspondence to commissioners as it sought the contract, SGR touted its expertise in recruitment and retention.
According to the letter, the company has 28 full-time employees and 27 recruiters comprising its fully remote operation, with team members in Texas and 14 other states.
Commissioners also approved a three-year agreement with Microsoft Corp. in the amount of $397,385 for its Unified Enterprise Support Services functions. The work order supports the county’s information system’s effort to maintain all Microsoft platforms used by the county, according to documents accompanying the agenda item.
The measure was approved unanimously.
Also gaining unanimous approval was a six-figure contract with vendor SHI Government Solutions Inc. The $120,655 contract is for Adobe licenses and subscription renewals.
Also passed without discussion — as part of a consent agenda — was the extension of a county land lease for agricultural purposes. Spotlighting the still-rural portions of a county now largely urban, the Blackland Heritage Farm Lease is the second of three renewal terms for the same terms and conditions as the existing contract. The sole exception of the agreement is the annual price change to $29,711 — higher than the $26,105 annual cost from the original agreement that amounted to $115 per acre across a 227-acre tract.
The land is used for planting, raising and harvesting of crops, according to a county document.
Contentious exchange
The meeting included a reprimand from Gravell directed at Jim Dillon of Liberty Hill — the latter a fixture during the public-comments portion of the meetings — after an exchange over the contract with SGR to hire an EMS director.
“Williamson County will spend $30,000 to hire an agency to interview these people, because they’re going to bring in the DEI,” Dillon said, referring to a consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring. “I guarantee it. And if they don’t have any, they’ll import it from Korea.”
The latter was a reference to a burgeoning semiconductor industry developing in Williamson County that was sparked by the Austin Samsung Semiconductor plant currently under construction near Taylor. The corporate headquarters is in South Korea.
Gravell — fresh off a trip to South Korea where he sought additional economic development — objected to the reference.
“I don’t know that you meant it this way (but) I took that as a racist comment,” Gravell said, interrupting Dillon. “And you’re trying to demean another nation that is a strong ally of the United States of America. I’ve never been to a nation …” Dillon interjected, “I had an uncle killed in Korea.”
Gravell replied, “When I’m talking, you’re going to be quiet. Do you understand that? I’ve never been to another nation that has a greater deference and respect to America than the Republic of Korea.”
To which Dillon responded, “How about American kids getting a job?”
Gravell raised his voice.
“Close your mouth, Jim. I’m not finished,” the county’s chief executive said. “Do not discriminate against people. It’s not permitted in this court. Do not discriminate against people because of their color, because of their race, because of their religion, because of their sexual preference or because of their gender. Stay out of that lane.
“Now get back on your lane and hit the topic on these points,” Gravell added before cutting off Dillon entirely.
A planned proclamation by commissioners relating to Domestic Violence Awareness Month also elicited a comment.
“All I can say to the women who are mistreated is get yourself strapped,” Dillon said. “Good law-enforcement officers aren’t standing out in your front yard waiting for you to defend yourself.”
Gravell put an end to the statements.
“You know what, Jim? Your time is up. You’re done,” the county judge said.
“You sure I got five minutes?” Dillon asked.
“No, your time is up,” Gravell said. “In fact, your time is up for the rest of the day.”
