Monday - 11 August 2025
Judge Tanner and 3 Commissioners present. Commissioner Kelly was not present.
Numerous routine court matters were handled.
The Tax Assessor's office requested two part-time employees to assist car dealers in transitioning to new laws passed by the recent Legislature.
The part-time personnel would work only during the month of September and would make $15 an hour. Passed 3-1.
The Court heard more from DUOS EDGE representative Dave Irek on the proposed installation of a pod in the County parking lot at 9th & Tyler. (This pod would provide additional internet access for the area.) The pod would take up only the same amount of space as 10 parking spaces and would be fenced off to prevent trespassers from entering or damaging the unit. The Court seems very eager to have the pod, but consideration still must be made to follow state law,which requires a benefit to taxpayers for leased property.
A report from the Tax Assessor informed the Court that Potter County is shrinking in population, and as a result of that, revenue as well. Revenue is down 1.3 million from last year, and combined with a 1.2 % proposed COLA raise for employees, the Court must consider raising the tax rate by 5.2 %. Counties are limited by state statute to an increase of only 3 1/2 % yearly, but counties are allowed to use unused increments from the previous three-year window to combine with that 3 1/2 %.
District Judge Denny appeared to advocate for a substantial COLA for the many Potter County Sheriff’s Department employees who were in attendance (as well as those not in attendance). He also requested a pay raise for Court Coordinators who have not had a raise in years, except for various COLAs. District Judge Estevez also appeared in support of those raises.
The video stopped abruptly at 2.30:03.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday - 28 July 2025
Judge Tanner and three commissioners were present; Commissioner Kelly was absent.
Multiple items of routine business were addressed with no dissent.
A representative from International Aerospace Coatings (IAC), the largest aircraft painting facility in the world, advised the court that the company is expanding to include wide-body planes in its inventory of serviceable aircraft. IAC has been operating in Amarillo for approximately 30 years, and as a result of the expansion, plans to increase the number of its employees from approximately 180 to approximately 250. The additional employees would all start at the $55 K salary range.
As such, the company requested a tax abatement from the Court to mirror that which the City of Amarillo has already passed. The Court unanimously passed the request.
Commissioner Coble expressed interest in the County hiring a full-time project manager who could oversee all County construction projects. Various discussions ensued among the Commissioners while the Judge questioned where the salary for such a position would come from. Ultimately, no formal proposal on a position was made.
The broadcast ended abruptly at 10:00 a.m. so no information after this time was obtained.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday - 14 July 2025
Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
Very routine meeting with numerous pieces of County business taken care of.
The Chief Technology Officer, along with the Chief Financial Officer for Region 16, provided the Court with immense information about the proposed installation of a DUOS EDGE Data Center “pod” on downtown County property at 810 S. Tyler. (This property was previously offered to WTAMU for their downtown nursing campus, but was ultimately returned to the County when plans for its use fell through.) The Region 16 representatives explained that the proposed data center would not only provide enhanced internet connectivity to the 52 schools in the Region 16 network but would also benefit the entire area by providing increased internet reliability and service. Several data pods have already been installed in various locations including one directly behind the Region 16 headquarters located at Hillside and Bell.
Commissioner Coffee questioned the legality of the County approving the use of the land “for free”. County legal advisors said that chapter 262 of the Government Code does indeed require some kind of an agreement etc. before an approval can be granted. Based on this information, the request was tabled until an agreement can be formulated.
Approval was given for the installation of 100 gig fiber optics in the Santa Fe building to replace the old 1 gig fiber.
Approval was given for Potter County to enter into a contract with Lubbock County for housing prisoners.
Jail population today: 568 plus 37 housed in other jails.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday - 23 June 2025
County Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
I watched the meeting online (post meeting) and could make out very little of the first 45 minutes or so of the meeting due to the microphones at the speaker's podium either not working or being turned off. I could hear the Judge and Commissioners just fine but have no clue what others, including the judicial advisers, were saying.
At some point during the meeting, a zoom phone call with a jail consultant was conducted which I could hear just fine. He basically described the jail consulting process and gave examples from other counties his company has/currently is working with across the state.
Post conversation, Commissioner Coffee proposed that Potter County send out an RFQ for a jail consultant who could evaluate the needs of Potter County and propose possible solutions. Commissioner Coble strenuously opposed the proposal and believes it would not be a financially prudent move for the county. Commissioner Coffee is concerned that the last two major building projects the County has conducted were done so with only an architect's input. Those two projects - the brand new District Court building and the “old” District Court building - had/are having major issues that he believes could have been avoided if a consultant had been used. The motion died for lack of a second.
Potter County residents Mark and Marilyn Rigler asked for a Groundwater waiver re: a small parcel of land they want to purchase behind their residential property. Current groundwater law would require them to build two new wells costing approximately $70K on the small parcel. They do not need more wells. Commissioners approved a resolution granting such with Commissioner Kelly abstaining since Mr. Rigler is his brother-in -law.
Commissioners approved a request from Fire Chief Richard Lake for 3 new station doors at Station #2.
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Randall County re: a repaving project being done by J. Lee Milligan on Bushland Road. Potter County will reimburse Randall County $163,752.50 for the Potter portion of the work from I40 south to the Randall County line.
The microphones continued to go off/on so am not clear on the rest of the meeting.
Judge Tanner gave the Jail Count for the day at 580 with 42 being housed in other jails.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday - 9 June 2025
Judge Tanner and all 4 Commissioners present
Multitudes of routine County business discussed and handled. Nothing out of the ordinary.
There continues to be downtown parking issues for jury members who park along the public streets in 2-hour parking zones. Possible solutions are being explored to alleviate the probability of parking fines. There’s also some safety concerns about the use of the City parking garage for County employees, some of whom arrive very early in the morning or don’t leave until late in the evenings. Added to everything are concerns about not enough ADA parking slots for County employees.
Judge Tanner advised that she has spoken with the City in the recent past about additional ADA spots in the City garage but did not get a favorable response. She will recontact them to see what other options might be available.
Once again Commissioner Coffee reassured the Court about his support of the County in its effort to decide the best course of action for either a jail expansion or the construction of a new facility. He reiterated the need for the County to be fiscally responsible to the citizens of Potter County. After Mike Head, Potter County Facilities Manager, advised the Court that the current jail facility is at “end of life” , Commissioner Coffee questioned why the County just spent almost $1 million enlarging the booking room.
Commissioner Coble advised the Court that there is no need to hire a $200K “consultant” to determine a solution for additional jail space since an architect could make those same determinations and offer possible solutions for approximately $41- $45K.
Commissioner Coble made a motion that the County go into negotiations with Burns Architecture, LLC to best determine those needs and possible solutions. Owner Kenny Burns and associate Jason Ross appeared in person before the Court and spent a great deal of time explaining things that needed to be considered before a decision one way or the other is reached. Burns proposed a workshop to discuss particulars, ask questions, and come up with possible solutions. It was finally decided that a motion was not needed since the Burns firm is currently under contract (booking room remodeling project ?) and that the current contract simply needs to be modified. Apparently that modified contract will be presented to the Court for their review/possible approval at the next scheduled meeting.
Jail count for 9 June 2025: 575 plus an additional 20 farmed out to other jails.
470 are Felons
88 are Women
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.