Resolution
Appreciation to Hosts and Sponsors
WHEREAS, the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association semi-annual meeting was held on March 5, 2020; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service hosted the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association in the most efficient and hospitable manner; and
WHEREAS, the law firm of Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott sponsored the catered lunch for the conference attendees and guests; and
WHEREAS, the Panhandle Chapters of the professional associations of County Extension Agents, SmartWatt, and Warren Cat sponsored the breaks for conference attendees and guests; and
WHEREAS, the businesses Burns Architecture, LLC, American National Leasing Co., DK Haney Roofing, Driskill House, iDocket.com, Multi Seal and SmartWatt provided sponsorships for the conference; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association thanks all the hosts, professional associations, sponsors and vendors cited above for their support and sponsorship of this conference.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Appreciation to Support Organizations
WHEREAS, conducting the business of county government has become so complicated, affecting multi-million-dollar budgets, that it has become imperative that we, as elected officials, have sound, knowledgeable advice and assistance to navigate through the complex maze of state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and,
WHEREAS, the members of the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association wish to acknowledge the expertise of, and thank the staff of, the Texas Association of Counties and its Executive Director, Susan Redford; Mr. Jim Allison, of Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP; the V. G. Young Institute of County Government; the Texas Association of Extension Agents; and, our local Extension Agents who have all been most helpful to county government;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association thanks these individuals and their staffs for their past, present and future help on behalf of county government.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Securing Borders
WHEREAS, illegal immigration poses a threat to security,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association supports that the highest priority is to secure the borders from all foreign countries; and, urges the state and federal governments to make it a priority to secure the borders from all foreign countries.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
MEMORIAL TO DECEASED OFFICIALS AND FRIENDS
PANHANDLE COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION
Whereas, the following highly regarded members and friends of the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association are deceased; and,
Whereas, the association desires to pay appropriate respect to these members and friends; and,
Whereas, since our last conference, Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners have mourned the passing of:
Now, Therefore, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association pause for a moment of silence and meditation to honor the memory of these respected individuals.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
| NAME | OFFICE |
| Paulette Kelly | Spouse of Judge Charles Kelly, Ochiltree Co. |
| Dan Schmucker | Former Castro County Commissioner |
RESOLUTION REGARDING MENTALLY ILL DEFENDANTS
WHEREAS, Texas county jails, and especially rural county jails, are not equipped or staffed to handle mentally ill defendants; and,
WHEREAS, the burden of housing mentally ill defendants has caused a hardship on county jail personnel and resulted in a budget strain on rural counties; and,
WHEREAS, the constitutional duty to house and provide services to mentally ill defendants is the responsibility of the State of Texas; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association requests that the State of Texas expeditiously handle cases where defendants have been deemed mentally ill to reduce the financial burden to the county and to provide needed services to mentally ill defendants; and, further requests that the State of Texas reimburse counties and their taxpayers for the costs incurred to provide services for mentally ill defendants.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Opposing Encroachment on Local Decision Making
WHEREAS, it is detrimental to local county governments when the state or federal government, or any action group or organization, attempts to encroach on local decision making;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association opposes any attempt by the state or federal government, or any action group or organization, to encroach on local decision making.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Opposing Unfunded and Under-Funded Mandates
WHEREAS, state mandates without funding either increase property taxes or require a county to decrease services;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association supports a state constitutional amendment allowing a state mandate imposed on a county to have effect only if the state provides for payment to the county for the cost of the mandate.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Opposition to Revenue Caps
WHEREAS, 60 percent of the average taxpayer’s property tax burden is due to school taxes while only 14 percent is due to county taxes; and
WHEREAS, revenue caps diminish local decision making and tie the hands of county officials and limit their ability to provide essential services to address the needs and emergencies of their citizens; and
WHEREAS, county government is already struggling to meet the demands of under-funded and unfunded state mandates such as indigent health care, indigent defense and federal mandates such as the Help America Vote Act and the Clean Air Act; and
WHEREAS, the demands on county budgets continue to increase including health care, motor fuel, road materials, and all other products and services purchased by counties; and
WHEREAS, artificial revenue caps result in a shift of taxes from fluctuating properties, such as oil and gas, to those remaining relatively stable in value, such as residential properties; and
WHEREAS, revenue caps will result in a severe impact on county services; and
WHEREAS, revenue cap legislation contains many provisions that will undermine a property tax system based upon fair market value and will result in a distorted, inequitable appraisal scheme under which higher value properties will avoid their fair share of the tax burden; and
WHEREAS, it is inequitable for the Texas Legislature to impose additional revenue caps on local governments without funding, repealing and prohibiting state under-funded and unfunded mandates;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association does hereby express its opposition to revenue cap legislation and its efforts to limit local decision making and does hereby oppose additional revenue caps upon Texas counties, and the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association expresses its deep appreciation to all legislators who oppose these unsound measures.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Support of Increased Funding for Indigent Defense and CPS Cases from the State of Texas
WHEREAS, the U.S. and Texas Constitution require that legal counsel be provided to indigent defendants and CPS cases; and,
WHEREAS, the state has failed to meet its obligation required by the U.S. and Texas Constitution and has mandated that county taxpayers absorb proportionately 88% of the state’s responsibility for indigent defendants and 100% of CPS cases; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association supports the Texas Indigent Defense Commission’s efforts to increase the current funding levels by the State of Texas for indigent defense and provide funding for CPS cases.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Support of Law Enforcement Officials
WHEREAS, our law enforcement community is under attack across the nation; and,
WHEREAS, the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association wants to acknowledge our support for all law enforcement agencies (including Border Patrol and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials); and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association wants to pay our respect to these dedicated public servants, and to express our respect and support as they put their lives in danger to uphold the laws of The State of Texas and the United States Constitution.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Support of Military Troops
WHEREAS, our nation is presently embroiled in a war on terrorism and the security of our nation is a high priority; and,
WHEREAS, it appears that the Trump Administration is supportive of our military troops; and,
WHEREAS, the world is continuing to be a dangerous place; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association, supports our troops in all conflicts in the war on terrorism;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association supports the Trump Administration in its effort to strengthen our military efforts in defending our country and borders.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution Opposing Efforts to Silence Local Government Officials
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature will consider over 7,000 bills in the next legislative session;
WHEREAS, approximately 1,500 of those bills will directly affect the duties of county and local government officials;
WHEREAS, analysis and information from county and other local government officials is essential for a balanced, knowledgeable consideration of these bills;
WHEREAS, professional associations provide an effective and efficient means of communication with legislators;
WHEREAS, local government and their associations provide an important source of representation for their taxpaying citizens before the legislature;
WHEREAS, if the voices of county and other local government officials are silenced, only special interests will be heard on these issues;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association hereby opposes any attempt to silence the voices of local government officials and their associations and does hereby request that the legislature preserve and protect the ability of Texas taxpaying citizens to be heard through their local officials.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution in Support of Senate 60% Rule
WHEREAS, the Texas Senate rules require support from 60% of its members for consideration of proposed legislation; and,
WHEREAS, the 60% Rule provides protection for minority interests, including rural Texas from over-reaching by other interests;
WHEREAS, the 60% Rule requires that Senators provide due consideration to opposing views and utilize common sense in its deliberations,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association hereby supports the Texas Senate 60% Rule and requests its preservation in the Texas Senate.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.
Resolution
Resolution in Support of County Local Option Revenue Sources
WHEREAS, county revenue sources are extremely limited; and,
WHEREAS, under current statutes, counties are forced to rely upon property taxes to fund necessary services; and,
WHEREAS, county taxpayers should have the option to adopt a local sales tax, a local severance tax, a local motor fuel tax, an increase in local vehicle registration fees, and other revenue sources to reduce property taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas requests that the Legislature amend the tax statutes to allow the adoption of a county local option sales tax, a local option severance tax, a local option motor fuel tax, an increase in local vehicle registration fees, and other revenue sources for the reduction of property taxes without imposing any additional revenue caps.
PASSED on March 5, 2020.