County okays city contract for sheriff; Council to vote March 14

Donley County Commissioners approved new law enforcement agreement with the City of Clarendon during their regular meeting Monday, March 11.

Under the terms of the proposal, the city would pay the county $170,000 for law enforcement services beginning in fiscal year 2025, which starts in October. The five-year contract would go up two percent each year.

County Judge John Howard said the proposal was brought to the county by the city and drafted by the city’s attorney but also said the city council will not vote on the agreement until its regular meeting this Thursday, March 14.

In another matter regarding county law enforcement, commissioners approved an amendment to the current county budget and approved a supplemental budget related to a state grant to bolster the sheriff’s department. The $250,000 grant would provide about $127,000 for raises in the department – bringing deputies salaries up to $50,000 per year and dispatcher/jailer salaries up to $45,000 per year – with the remainder of the grant funds going to help purchase new patrol vehicles.

The commissioners’ court also approved trainings for Judge Pat White and Tax Assessor Kristy Christopher, authorized Judges White and Sarah Hatley to sign an interlocal agreement with the Texas DPS to deal with Failure to Appear cases; and voted to get prices to upgrade the lighting in the Courthouse Annex.

A rental lease on county-owned property at 301 W. Third was discussed. The tenant is finding a new place, and then the county will proceed to consider plans for that property.

The court approved purchasing two filter feeders for the Courthouse heating and cooling system.

Chriss Clifford elaborated on design ideas to give a facelift to county-owned buildings in the 300 block of Sully facing the Courthouse, and commissioners also discussed changing the color of the Annex building. Those improvements were all tabled until May, Howard said.