County Commissioners Court Briefs
County business halts after Courthouse is ‘defaced’
County Judge Win Graham was outraged to find “vandalism” – in the form of an Oklahoma University banner – defacing the Young County Courthouse when he arrived to preside over the Oct. 10 County Commissioners meeting. “I am sad to inform you that our courthouse was vandalized over the weekend,” Judge Graham, a University of Texas graduate, wrote on his Facebook page. “As you can see from the attached picture, a despicable delinquent desecrated our beautiful courthouse. This loathsome individual will be hunted down by Young County law enforcement with no expense spared. Once apprehended, this criminal better hope he finds himself in another court because my court will show NO MERCY. It is bad enough that our Texas Longhorns were defeated in the Cotton Bowl, but to then bring dishonor to our courthouse is unforgivable.”
The banner was removed and “burned” before the County could commence its regular business, Judge Graham said. As of press time, no suspects had been identified.
Four-month-old burn ban lifted
Young County Commissioners voted on Oct. 10 to remove the burn ban that they put in place on July 10 at the start of a particularly severe wildfire season. “Things have started to green up and we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to burn some trash and debris before it dries up again,” County Judge Win Graham said. The Court recommended that residents inform the Young County Sheriff ’s Office before starting any outdoor burn.
County Jail to raise price to combat inflation
The Commissioners voted to increase the price Young County Jail charges to house inmates for other counties. “In this inflationary period, the cost of food, employees, and utilities have increased significantly and the court felt we needed to raise our rates to keep up,” Judge Graham said. Young County Jail’s inmate count has risen steadily over the past few months, from an average of 55 inmates to 83 on Oct. 16.
Loving subdivision proposed
Developer Ray Reaves presented plans for a subdivision near Loving to the Court. Commissioners commented on the plan and asked them to return with new drawings. A survey presented to the Court showed a plan for Brooke’s Estates Subdivision, composed of seven lots.
County raises reimbursement for jurors
Commissioners voted to raise the reimbursement rates for expenses claimed by jurors to keep the County in line with an amendment to the Texas Government Code that hikes juror reimbursement statewide.
The amendment increases travel and other reimbursements for jurors and prospective jurors to no less than $20 per day on the first day and no less than $58 for the following days. The previous state rate was $6 for the first day and $40 thereafter. The state will reimburse the Counties $14 for the first day and $52 for subsequent days.
Both sitting jurors and those who go through the jury selection process but are not chosen for a county or district court panel are eligible for reimburse, the statute said.
Expenses that can be reimbursed include public transportation, mileage, transportation, parking, childcare facilities and meals, according to the Texas Judicial Branch.
Election judges selected
The Commissioners approved a list of election judges for the upcoming primary and general elections. A general election is set for Nov. 7 at which Texans will decide on 14 constitutional amendments and Olneyites will vote on a $33 million hospital bond issue.
“Our elections administrator, Kaitlyn Moseley, has put together and trained a great group of people to assist her in running our elections in Young County,” Judge Graham said. The last day to register to vote was Oct. 10. The last day to register for a ballot by mail is Oct. 27. Early voting begins on Oct. 23, the elections administrator said.