Monday - 12 May 2025
Potter County Commissioners Court Meeting
Judge Tanner and 3 Commissioners present - commissioner Coble was not in attendance
Numerous items of routine business handled including approving the purchase of 19 Motorola portable radios / chargers etc. for Potter County Fire & Rescue.
The 25th anniversary unveiling of the time capsule in the Santa Fe building will be held in August. The time capsule is located in the north east fire stairwell of that building.
The City of Amarillo will again contract with Potter County to run the City Council run -off election on June 7th. Only ten voting elections will be open for that election.
Upon recommendation from Family Support Services and Veterans Resource Center, a man named Naish Hall was approved as the new Potter County Veterans Service Officer.
Wes Reeves, Chairman of the Potter County Historical Commission, updated the Court on continuing efforts to preserve, protect, and promote an extended history of Potter County. He discussed the rising costs of historical markers ($500 - $2,500 each) and asked for $10K to be dedicated in the County budget for such expenses. No action was taken by the Court.
More drama between Commissioner Coffee and the Sheriff’s Department about possible jail expansion. (FYI, Commissioner Coffee is a retired Potter County Deputy and is very familiar with the particulars of that department). The Sheriff continues to be frustrated by lack of bed space and the feeling he has that the Court is not actively trying to come up with a solution. Meanwhile, Commissioner Coffee feels that every option possible should be looked at before obligating the taxpayers to the tremendous expense of either a massive addition to the current jail or the constructing of a brand new one. After lots of finger pointing, it was decided to place a request for the Court to hire a consultant on the agenda for the next Commissioner’s Court Session. The hope is that a consultant can give unbiased advice on the best solution for jail expansion.
In frustration, Sheriff Thomas advised the Court that this would be the last time he would bring up “overcrowding” to the Court since it’s their responsibility to provide the space, not his. In response to earlier remarks from Judge Board who has worked with Randall County in fast track processing of their prisoners, Potter DA Jason Herring said that “Rocket dockets” are helpful but not a long term solution to the problems currently at hand.
Commissioner Coffee said he had spoken with the Texas Jail Commission who expressed concern over increasing jail space since the latest Census indicates the population numbers for the county are decreasing. Sheriff Thomas said that the Commission doesn’t take into account that I40 and the 2 major hospitals are all in Potter County. (think about all the “drug busts” DPS makes along I40).
Jail count for this date: 603 - 83% are felony charges.
41 additional are in custody in other jails because we don’t have room for them.
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Monday, 28 April 2025
Potter County Commissioners Court Meeting
Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
In a nutshell, there’s really nothing out of the ordinary monthly business to report on except more “jail” news. Chief Deputy Scott Giles reported that Randall County is not interested in an Interlocal Agreement with Potter County (re: housing excess Potter County prisoners) because they are in the midst of trying to obtain a Federal Contract to house non-citizens and they fear participating in an agreement with Potter County will hurt their chances of obtaining that contract. Nonetheless, they are currently detaining two Potter County prisoners at the rate of $95 a day which is way more than other contract counties charge. Chief Giles said that due to certain circumstances (which he did not elaborate on), it is necessary to keep those two close to Potter County.
Meanwhile, today’s jail count is 621 in custody of which 91 are female and an overall 83% are felons. Currently housed in other counties - 39 plus the 2 in Randall County.
Commissioner Coffee asked that a proposal be placed on the next agenda to nominate a neutral party to investigate possible solutions to jail overcrowding. Coffee said he hopes a neutral person could look more objectively at realistic solutions and not be influenced by either the Commissioners Court or the Sheriff’s Department in a search for a solution.
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Monday, 14 April 2025
Potter County Commissioners Court Meeting
Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
Apologies for missing this meeting but I did see that after hearing from numerous members of the public (thank you Michelle, Delores, and Claudia) the Court approved a resolution opposing the elimination of countywide voting. Potter County will continue to provide this service just as they have for almost 10 years.
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24 March 2025
Potter County Commissioners Court
Judge Tanner and all four Commissioners present
A wonderfully short meeting! Very routine business was handled with a few notables as follows:
A 90 day Burn Ban was approved beginning today, March 24 and ending Sunday, June 22.
A free pick-up day of salvaged county property will be held one day in May - no specific date has yet been set. Most of the salvage will consist of old office furniture no longer needed.
The Texas Election Code mandates Counties examine their precinct boundary lines every two years to make sure county and city boundary lines don’t overlap each other. There are also size, shape, and population requirements that must be maintained. Outside concerns have recently been expressed over precincts 324, 326, and 327 due to the City continuing to expand their city limits. Elections administrator Christy Benge says she has reviewed everything and doesn’t think there is a problem so no precinct changes are needed at this time.
As of May 1, Bushland ISD will no longer have Potter County Sheriff’s Deputies acting as Resource/Liaison officers at their schools. The district has instead chosen to participate in the state approved Guardian program which arms school employees and trains them in responding to violent incidents on their campuses. A supervisory Deputy Liaison position currently stationed at River Road High School will continue to provide assistance as needed at Bushland ISD locations.
Jail Count today: 612 in Potter County, Overload: 14 sent to Garza County, 15 sent to Scurry County, 9 sent to Lamb County, and 2 sent to Randall County.
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March 10, 2025
Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
Jerry Michels, treasurer of the Amarillo Railroad Museum, approached the Court with information about the Museum’s plan to contact Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad about installing a switch near Museum property at the old Amarillo Air Base.The Court liked the idea but have concerns about liability so tabled any vote on the matter until more discussion can be held. The Museum will not contact BNSF until they get a decision from the Court.
County employee Mike Head (facilities) who is heading the transition project from the old District Courts building to the new District Courts building discussed ongoing work connected with the upcoming demolition of the old building.
Attendees learned that the Neal Unit in Amarillo (closed several years ago due to staffing issues ) will be reopened within a year. Although the State has since been housing temporary correctional officers at area motels in order to keep the Clements Unit staffed, it looks like that will be an option for the Neal Unit as well unless by some miracle they can fill all positions locally.
The Sheriff’s office has tried everything they can think of to try and get inmates processed out of their jail as quickly as possible.
TDC (Texas Department of Corrections) will not make more frequent pickups to transfer into State Custody,
even though the parole system seldom issues blue warrants (for parole violators who commit new offenses), there are usually city charges connected with the new offense mandating the arrestee to stay in custody,
the soon to be constructed mental health hospital has not even broken ground yet,
and District Attorney Herring said his office is processing cases as quickly as it can.