Courthouse trees topic of county talks

Donley County Commissioners met in regular session last Tuesday, October 10, with trees on the Courthouse Square being one topic of discussion.

The Courthouse Lighting Committee, with assistance from the county, recently removed five diseased trees from the square, and other trees are in need of attention as well.

County Judge John Howard said some trees are needing to be treated for beetles that are infesting them and all the trees are in need of professional trimming. There is also the possibility of a separate non-profit organization being established to help with the maintenance of the trees.

For now, the commissioners are looking into replacing the trees that were removed.

“This will be an ongoing conversation,” Howard told the Enterprise. “These old trees are important to the courthouse and to the community. We want to take care of them and plan for future generations’ enjoyment as well.”

In other county business, commissioners approved the annual contract for tax assessment and collection services with the Donley Appraisal District and nominated Lon Adams and Jacob Fangman to serve on the appraisal district board.

The court approved increasing the amount of Judge Howard’s bond from $5,000 to $100,000. This was necessary to comply with Senate Bill 40, which was passed by the 85th Legislature and pertains to judges handling probate cases. Howard said it was example of an unfunded mandated from Austin.

Sharon Braddock was re-appointed to represent Donley County on the board of the Texas Panhandle Centers for Behavioral & Developmental Health.

Commissioners approved Judge Pam Mason and Judge Denise Bertrand to attend Justice Court trainings in Austin and Lubbock respectively but denied a request to have Mason’s assistant attend a software seminar in Kerrville.

Walt Knorpp addressed the court to express his firm’s interest in making an offer on the county’s property and liability insurance coverage when it comes up next summer.

The court also approved Treasurer Wanda Smith to conduct her annual audit of the county jail’s commissary account.