The Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association passed the following resolutions on September 5, 2024.
Appreciation to Hosts and Sponsors
WHEREAS, the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association semi-annual meeting was held on September 5, 2024; 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 and Warren CAT sponsored the breaks for conference attendees and guests; and
WHEREAS, the businesses American National Leasing Company, Project Control, CTSI, Purple Wave Auction, iDocket, Access Fire & Security Systems and YellowHouse Machinery Co. 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.
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.
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.
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:
| NAME | OFFICE |
| Lyall Foster | Childress County Commissioner |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 Biden 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 Biden Administration in its effort to strengthen our military efforts in defending our country and borders.
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.
Opposition to Legislative Efforts to Silence County Officials
WHEREAS, legislation filed in the 87th Texas Legislature would prohibit county funds from being used to join and support nonprofit county associations that provide collective communication to state legislators; and
WHEREAS, most Texas counties do not engage private lobbyists and only provide a minimal portion of membership dues to nonprofit county associations for legislative communication; and
WHEREAS, “taxpayer funded” lobbying by local governments accounts for less than 10% of total lobbying activity, while corporate and special interest lobbying interests make up 90% of total lobbying activity; and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas, the Texas Legislature, and state agencies actively employ large numbers of taxpayer funded lobbyists to analyze and monitor the thousands of bills filed each legislative session and to advocate for its interests in Washington, yet these bills would deny local communities this same ability while continuing public support of state agency lobbying; and
WHEREAS, prohibiting Texas counties from retaining experienced representation before federal and state legislative bodies and agencies would place our communities at a disadvantage in efforts to obtain and retain federal and state projects and military bases; and
WHEREAS, county officials require the ability to express our positions and information through associations, form a unified voice on the issues important to our communities, and share the associated costs among all counties; and
WHEREAS, it is a false claim that taxpayer funded lobbying works against the interest of taxpayers. Indeed, a priority of county government and its “lobbying” effort is focused on ending the state and federal practice of passing unfunded mandates, which impose billions of dollars in increased taxes upon local property taxpayers annually; and
WHEREAS, smaller counties especially need to be able to combine their resources through their associations to monitor the thousands of bills filed each legislative session and effectively present their unique issues to the state and federal government; and
WHEREAS, the prohibition in such legislation would violate the basic principle of open and robust discussion and turn the halls of the Texas capitol into a one-sided conversation dominated by special interests.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association do hereby express their opposition to such legislation and its attempt to silence the combined voices of the county officials and local communities of this state.
Immediate Funding Request for State Government Mandated Services
WHEREAS, Commissioners Courts continue to struggle to finance essential services under a 3.5% revenue cap, while the state has failed to meet its statutory obligations. State government mandated services threaten to overwhelm county resources with an escalating backlog of state felony inmates, mentally ill defendants, and felony juvenile offenders; and
WHEREAS, the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon is the primary state facility to receive and treat criminal defendants who are incompetent to stand trial. When these defendants are denied admission to the state facilities, they must be confined in the county jail. This creates a danger to other inmates and staff while depriving needed mental health services to these defendants. At this time, the North Texas State Hospital has completely stopped receiving new admissions. The backlog was already delaying transfer of these patients from the county jail to the state facility for two years for a violent offender and one year for all other patients. Even prior to this shutdown, with a total of 2,435 patients awaiting transfer in county jails at $100 per day, this backlog was costing county taxpayers at least $88,877,500 per year; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is responsible for the incarceration and rehabilitation of felony juvenile offenders who are not suitable for the juvenile probation system. This includes violent offenders who cannot be safely housed with other juveniles. From its forced merger with the Texas Youth Commission to the present, this program under TJJD has experienced deficiencies in its operations and administration. Recently the TJJD announced that it would refuse any new admissions. This is forcing counties to hold these serious offenders in facilities designed and staffed for non-violent offenders. This failure by the state exposes county staff and other juveniles to greater risk of injury or death while interrupting the rehabilitation of these other offenders. Each offender refused admission by TJJD will cost county taxpayers approximately $250 per day for $91,250 per year; and
WHEREAS, these failures by state agencies to meet their statutory responsibility are the result of administrative neglect and lack of funding. While essential to the safety of our citizens, these services are not considered a priority by the state. TDCJ funding has been transferred to other programs and facilities closed. After prior budget increases, mental health funding was reduced by 2% in the current state budget. The budget for TJJD was reduced by 5% before some interim relief for salaries. These state failures to meet its financial obligations have resulted in county property tax increases to provide these unfunded but mandated services in county jails and juvenile facilities. With an extraordinary increase in state revenue providing a $27 billion surplus according to Comptroller Hegar, there is no excuse for continuing these backlogs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association does hereby respectfully request immediate relief by action of the Legislative Budget Board to relieve this crisis by the transfer of sufficient state funds to meet these responsibilities.
Panhandle Wildfire Response
Whereas, the residents and communities of the Texas Panhandle have received a tremendous outpouring of support following the historic and devastating wildfires of 2024, and;
Whereas, our counties are overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity that we have seen not only from our fellow Texans, but from across the United States, and;
Whereas, our state leaders and state agencies have worked countless hours to provide critical help and resources in support of our volunteer fire departments, local residents, agricultural producers, ranchers, local government, and citizens, and;
Whereas, the rebuilding needs of our counties are long-term and far reaching, but these needs continue to be anticipated and met by our partners at the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas A&M University Veterinary Emergency Team, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, the Texas A&M Forest Service, and by the local agents and leadership of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and;
Whereas, these agencies and other state entities have admirably performed their requested legislative duties to enhance their personnel and their disaster response resources through the Keeping Texas Prepared initiative, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of the Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Association do hereby express our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the men and women of the Texas A&M University System and member agencies for their hard work in response to the Panhandle wildfires; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that this association supports the ongoing funding needs of these agencies to fulfill and accomplish the work of the Land-Grant mission to Keep Texas Prepared and to respond to the needs of Texans in times of great hardship and natural disasters and requests that the Texas legislature provide sufficient appropriations to maintain and enhance this essential service.