Public defenders office proposed
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners spent much of Monday’s regular meeting on two items on which no action was taken, although they will probably get back to both at a future date.
Jeff Propst, 104th Judicial District Court Judge, and Taylor County commissioner Chuck Statler presented a proposal to establish a Big Country Regional Public Defenders Office, which could be based in Abilene and serve several surrounding counties, of which Shackelford has the smallest case load.
Grant funding is currently being sought for the endeavor, and the two Abilene men were asking local commissioners to take action on a resolution to support the application, an action that they said would not obligate the court at this time but would give them the ability to move forward.
After a question-and-answer time, then discussion afterwards, county elected officials opted to seek more information before making a decision.
Other Business
•Yvonne Dionne with Washington National Supplement Insurance presented options for county employees to have supplemental insurance, citing associations with several local businesses. No action was taken.
•The owner of Touch of Magic told commissioners he was continuing to try to hire local workers to clean the Courthouse, because having workers drive from Abilene to do the work was not practical.
•A $3,608 invoice from Walcott Enterprises for cleaning and oiling the 60+ wooden shutters inside the Courthouse was approved, about $500 more than the original proposal because the four windows in the bell tower were added to the list. Walcott is also repairing some of the county’s wooden chairs.
•Commissioners approved “multipurpose use” of the former probation office on the third floor, saying the area can be occupied for various purposes as needed.
•County judge Robert Skelton reported that wiring repair for three inoperative fire detectors on the first floor may involve opening up the beadboard ceiling or running exterior conduit. No action was taken.
