Commissioners hold off on new JCSO position

Commissioners hold off on new JCSO position Brian Smith Wed, 02/21/2024 - 7:23 am   County Judge Keith Umphress, right, gives further explanation to what the sheriff’s department is asking for while Commissioner Kenny Salazar listens during the Monday, Feb. 12 commissioners court meeting. Photo/Brian Smith   Students involved in 4-H Creative Arts and Food spoke Monday, Feb. 12 to Jack County Commissioners about their experiences at the Jack County Stock Show and Youth Fair last month. Photo/Brian Smith Jack County Sheriff’s Department was looking to add another position but Jack County Commissioners came up with another idea. Head Dispatcher Tammy Miller told commissioners at their Monday, Feb. 12 meeting she wanted to step away from dispatch and go into more of an administrative bookkeeping position. She said she had been doing both dispatch and administration since a retirement a few years back. Miller said the funds for the position are available for the present fiscal year courtesy of a number of vacancies at the department. Miller said she would still be willing to help out in dispatch if and when needed. Precinct 3 Commissioner Henry Birdwell and Precinct 4 Commissioner Terry Ward questioned the new position. Birdwell asked if this is something to even be considered right now with the upcoming election for sheriff. Ward asked if the county had the money with the potential creation of a facilities manager commissioners had been looking at. County Judge Keith Umphress asked if her position could become an administrative clerk for the rest of the fiscal year and then have the JCSO make the final call for the next fiscal year once a new sheriff is in place. “We need to defer back to the JCSO and let them see what they want to do,” Umphress said. “I believe this was done out of courtesy to us.” In other news, the facilities manager position which would be expected to take care of the internal operations at the courthouse, JCSO and Jail has had some people pick up applications but only one submit one. Umphress said once two or three applications are received, have the appointed committee go through the applications and make a decision. Committee members are Commissioners Birdwell and Gary Oliver, Jail Administrator Scott Simonton, Justice of the Peace Jessica Bailey and County Treasurer Brad Campsey. Commissioners approved the selection of Edgin, Parker, Fleming, and Fleming for its outside audit. A selection committee had made the recommendation of the firm, which does audits for Jacksboro ISD, the city of Jacksboro, Palo Pinto County and others, according to Jack County Auditor Lisa Perry. Perry said the firm’s fees are substantially less than what is being charged presently.