New constable resigns

Donley County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Constable Gerald Mulanax during their regular meeting Monday.

Mulanax said he resigned his office because he had accomplished his goal.

“The purpose was to stop Mr. Swinney’s time in office,” he said. “That’s been done.”

Mulanax was appointed as constable of Precincts 1&2 on November 26 following the September resignation of Constable Jimmy Swinney. County officials filled that vacancy because they were concerned that a legal holdover provision might give Swinney the argument that he was still in office despite his resignation.

Swinney was elected constable last year and took office in January. He then sued Donley County in June on the grounds that the salary set for him was unreasonable. He resigned his office in September after failing to become a licensed Texas peace officer, but his lawsuit still continues.

The constable’s position is up for election on the November 2002 ballot. At press time, no one had filed for the office.

In other county business, the commissioners’ court considered the purchase of a new computer for the sheriff’s office. The sheriff hopes to have the county, the probation department, and the City of Clarendon share in the cost of the new computer.

Commissioners also gave the green light to the sheriff’s department to apply for a $10,000 grant through the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s office to purchase equipment. If approved, the county would provide a $1,282 match.

The court authorized the submission of Disaster Relief Grant Application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Those grant funds would be used to repair road and bridge damages caused by flooding earlier this year.

The court agreed the county will assist the junior livestock association in some way with setup expenses if and when Clarendon College builds a new livestock and equine center.

A request for $150 for the Child Welfare Board from jury funds was approved, and tax abatements for Cornell’s Country Store and Bayou Medical, Ltd., were executed.

The county car mileage policy was changed from 23¢ per mile to 28¢ per mile effective January 1, 2002. Judge Jack Hall said the state mileage rate is 34.5¢ per mile.

The assessment agreement with the Appraisal District was approved.

On the courthouse project, the court approved purchasing builder’s risk insurance through the Texas Association of Counties and authorized an amendment to the county’s contract with the architect.