Judge Minkowski requests second court reporter for timely child protection hearings

The McLennan County Commissioner’s Court convened on June 3, 2025, to address critical issues affecting the local judicial system and water resource management. A significant focus of the meeting was the urgent need for an additional official court reporter to support the child protection docket, as current staffing challenges are hindering timely case resolutions.

Judge Mikowski highlighted the ongoing turnover of court reporters, noting that the court has already experienced two changes this year alone. This instability complicates legal proceedings, particularly in child protection cases, where the law mandates that final hearings must commence within 12 months of a child's removal from their home. The lack of consistent court reporting has led to delays, with hearings often needing to be rescheduled due to conflicting schedules among attorneys and limited availability of reporters.

To address these issues, Judge Mikowski proposed the creation of a second official court reporter position, which would allow for more frequent hearings and help meet statutory deadlines. The estimated cost for this position is around $112,000, with Judge Mikowski suggesting that $35,000 from the current budget could be allocated towards this expense. Additionally, she proposed an earlier start date of July 15, 2025, to expedite the hiring process.

The court members expressed support for the proposal, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal timelines and improving the quality of court reporting services. The motion to approve the new position was passed unanimously, with the effective date set for immediate posting of the job opening.

In a separate agenda item, the court discussed a master engineering and consulting services agreement with Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnham (LAN). This agreement aims to streamline various water-related projects and initiatives, particularly in light of recent legislative changes affecting water resource management in Central Texas. The agreement will allow for the development of specific work orders for upcoming projects, facilitating quicker responses to water resource challenges.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to improving judicial efficiency and addressing pressing water management issues, reflecting a proactive approach to governance in McLennan County.