Public access restricted at Courthouse
By Melinda L. Lucas
Public access to the historic Shackelford County Courthouse is now restricted by order of the commissioners court, with action taken at a Monday, March 23 meeting and effective Tuesday morning.
The resolution allows exterior doors on both the Courthouse and the Justice of the Peace office to be locked during business hours, with signs posted to call the appropriate office if access is needed for permits, etc.
Shackelford County sheriff Edward Miller pointed out that license plate renewals have been suspended during the coronavirus crisis, and plateholders will not be cited for expired plates until further notice.
Miller also stated that there is presently no public access at the Law Enforcement Center, in compliance with mandates from the state jail commission. Online visitation has been set up.
Any items brought from outside the facility, such as mail, must be handled with gloves and are disinfected.
County judge Robert Skelton added that district judge Brooks Hagler has postponed all but necessary court proceedings.
After a lengthy discussion, the elected officials passed a resolution to lock the Courthouse and JP doors, with instructions and phone numbers posted on the north and east entrances and at the JP office.
The action will limit traffic in the building in order to further protect county employees.
The commissioners stopped short of declaring a state of emergency, which will be necessary to be reimbursed for expenditures connected with the COVID-19 crisis.
“If this impacts the law enforcement community or we have other expenses, I have a plan ready that can be adopted on short notice,” Skelton said.
IT Transition
Josh Fowler from Computer Transition Services Inc. (CTSI), the county’s new IT provider, presented several agreements to be signed by county officials.
Following review and clarification, a change was made in one of the agreements, and separate motions were made to approve each of the documents.
Other Business
•Pct. 1 purchase of a pickup for $33,000 and a flatbed trailer for $11,000 was approved.
•The purchase of two skid steer attachments for Pct. 3 totalling $13,000 was approved.
•The county will sponsor a tire collection project through the Leon Bosque RC&D.
