[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6188779,"mediaKeyId","5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829","parentId",5062018,"title","Hunt County sheriff asks for four patrol deputies and an investigator to address staffing and response gaps","audioSeconds",1100,"startMs",3695000,"endMs",4795000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829&start=3695&end=4795","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829/thumbnail_3695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188779/Hunt-County/Texas/Hunt-County-sheriff-asks-for-four-patrol-deputies-and-an-investigator-to-address-staffing-and-response-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188779-3d699d7965d75ca92dd1fc808cd51291/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104075&Signature=NRIx~8OazGmc1vw3QNVwLEFpUiFhMqATvV-thEq~VQFNV71ChArMs4idSEOoW0O6AyBcGFBbAJV8qrOZXZ7YRR4pGB9ilGT5IPIAh6oSKE6PGv0heBTXik1NOulITd2HNKVCV9sZx0AFo2GVdNlkDSwnmQe8KPTTCCvFkUQoxUnYc4IWB4HE~mjNwP6KX5QY7K1vOtB2QAg8D~LaxoHTxAOISA3adPE1-llj8M-uAV4-5hPb-iNeSklRlompSpqmVLkQrLcmA884rPOnTqUn8a-NCaFU0HeCMBz9IuCWnJ7pzz0i7r8uFBRkJ3vcX5TgflnYFkza-WiA~sbU-2kN1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hunt County, TX","date","2025-06-25T08:40:43Z","article","The Hunt County sheriff told the Commissioner’s Court the department needs four additional patrol deputies (one per shift) and one investigator to improve coverage across the county as population and calls for service grow.

The sheriff described long response times in some rural areas and the difficulty of maintaining staffing across 900 square miles. “We're running a we try to keep 6 people on the shift, which is thin,” he said, and described incidents in which a single deputy responded alone to remote calls. To address coverage and officer safety, the sheriff asked for four uniformed patrol deputies and one additional investigator; the deputies would be rotated across shifts and the investigator would help manage an increased investigative caseload.

He also highlighted non‑personnel costs that accompany new hires: outfitting a new deputy (uniforms, body armor and equipment) is roughly $4,500 and vehicle costs are approximately $17,000 per year for a leased vehicle; the packet presented to the court gave a seven‑position total cost and a per‑position estimate that commissioners interpreted as roughly $120,000 per position when vehicle and equipment are included. The sheriff said many ballistic vests and ballistic helmets will reach end‑of‑service around the same time and asked the court to consider using SB 22 grant funds for equipment replacement and outfitting rather than recurring payroll.

Commissioners discussed whether SB 22 or similar grant funds could be applied to equipment or one‑time costs while county funds cover ongoing salaries; they expressed reluctance to rely on grant funds for long‑term positions because grants can end. The sheriff said vacancy rates are improving and that recently recruited deputies are now in training; adding the requested positions would allow the department to restore recommended shift staffing and reduce long response times in remote parts of the county.

No hires or equipment purchases were approved at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to provide detailed cost estimates, to explore using grant funds for one‑time outfitting where permissible, and to return with a prioritized list of requests and the fiscal impact for the budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Court Regular Session 06/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sheriff requested four additional patrol deputies (one per shift) and one investigator to improve response times across a growing county, and flagged equipment needs (vests, helmets) and potential SB 22 use for outfitting. Commissioners discussed using grant funds for equipment but not for long‑term salaries.","taxTitle","Hunt County, Texas","taxId",51030,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188784,"JP 2 and constable ask commissioners for a full-time clerk as case filings rise",288,3297000,3585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829&start=3297&end=3585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829/thumbnail_3297000.jpg","/articles/6188784/Hunt-County/Texas/JP-2-and-constable-ask-commissioners-for-a-full-time-clerk-as-case-filings-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188784-b800ebd4d8b13b867185da993df5f6f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104075&Signature=nHE4OFT9PXzDcqbU4PJwA5peRVUdFg3MIuJK6s-h1~DEq8d1KZDb2ZB6ded-ZF1fMWwVS-wIC0xk5zdlE6bRnD1SzRye8WCbsqi-~OBlS7eRQrdodmDZ3KGCS5OEqafUiYTTSqpJQkRGsHQxFsUZxWNUb-GBhxCqtz66IW8VP~ljaN1WbsCV7yyziHrd5qnLKSc1P6BteMxscRuaPX3uqPmgF75ABpFs6Jowo8TWGKlCJJOyoGvkQW0e9KRaeOf902e12AAM9DoK0inGyqrZtlSRi4kE0kWTHhK-e6VNfUTy5sPhaD3t~Vv5uu9fPVHBB~j5ySAQZSMvErASssm1iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives for Justice of the Peace Court 2 and the constable told the Commissioner’s Court that rising caseloads across criminal, eviction and small-claims dockets require an additional full‑time clerk in JP 2’s office.

Court staff described the current staffing as two full‑time-equivalent positions and one part‑time position shared between the court and constable (effectively two-and-a-half workers). Because a long‑time civil clerk retired, JP 2 and the constable propose consolidating and converting staff so the office will have three full‑time cross‑trained clerks able to handle civil, criminal and constable duties.

Presenters said criminal filings are up 84% year‑over‑year, evictions have increased 50%, small‑claims filings 48% and debt claims 22%. The additional full‑time staffing, they said, supports more show‑cause hearings, better compliance and higher monthly collections.

The presenters asked the court to approve approximately $40,034.73 to cover the county share of the additional full‑time clerk after accounting for money already budgeted in the constable’s part‑time line. “We're only asking for $40,034.73,” a court representative said.

Commissioners sought clarification about how the new position would be funded in fiscal years and whether the constable’s part‑time budget would shift; staff said the change is largely a realignment and that Sandy (county staff) would supply detailed budget numbers. The court did not vote on the request at the meeting and directed staff to provide a written cost breakdown and the planned staffing transition.

No formal action was taken; the presenters said a part‑time clerk would move to full time in July to cover the immediate vacancy and that the full staffing configuration would be revisited in the budget cycle.","Justice of the Peace Court 2 and the constable asked commissioners for funding to move a part‑time clerk role to full time and to cross‑train staff; the net county ask was about $40,035 for the budget year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188788,"Hunt County DA seeks two prosecutors and permanent funding for victim services coordinator",247,1495000,1742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829&start=1495&end=1742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829/thumbnail_1495000.jpg","/articles/6188788/Hunt-County/Texas/Hunt-County-DA-seeks-two-prosecutors-and-permanent-funding-for-victim-services-coordinator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188788-1519c00202f637f1338b9c90983c828c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104075&Signature=W2ERhf3hC9Kyr1dGK-K35bMFyRaNv8CwtoE148lzugg8gsBbkRtlsepr1kM6nu7PHR1BQdJj588MVADIrGu-RjLcVYquvSUVDafNSyF4AsvfjEKWf6K5eFh~r0fDysONntKRZtx4TOc1VgNS1yMyY2vDK9-q0oG5WX0c8adeE1zkw6TIYUAvDa~4BRDsDkEGNKoWKZtQirFJq7IjniiCU~34OsAV9i6uqYz5goyIdRhLf6G0vliQvxGiQixKk496z-malcq0GJk2pHWYDoM4ahjY31odMFNLlLBi3oQAkjTq6bXBN5D4Kf0cV~9gcDnzvvxW~Uvb0ciks4os0iG7Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Lilly, first assistant district attorney for Hunt County, asked the Commissioner’s Court on June 24 to fund two additional prosecutors and to consider making the office’s grant-funded victim’s assistance coordinator a permanent, county‑funded position.

Lilly said intake and case-review work have grown substantially since the office last added an attorney in 2015; he told the court that if current filing trends continue the office will review roughly 1,200 felony cases in the calendar year and that the intake function is currently handled by one person. “We need more prosecutors. We need 2 new prosecutors,” Lilly said.

Lilly explained the workload growth in two parts: the number of felony cases has risen roughly 25–33% since 2015, and the complexity of cases has increased because of more digital evidence and investigative work that prosecutors must review. He said about 40% of current felony filings come from the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office, with Greenville and other agencies making up the remainder.

The prosecutors would be used to bolster intake review and to assist with trial responsibilities; Lilly noted the positions could be structured differently depending on candidate qualifications. He also said the office’s new victim’s assistance coordinator — added last year and funded largely by SB 22 grant money — has eased workload for trial attorneys, and Lilly recommended the county eventually assume funding for that position. “We do want to have that position funded by the taxpayers, because we think it's important eventually,” he said.

Commissioners raised fiscal questions: whether the county would absorb salaries currently paid from SB 22 if the grant funding ends, and whether funding two attorneys at county pay scales would leave the office non‑competitive with grant-funded salaries. Commissioners asked how to pay for the positions and whether to phase hires to address space and budget constraints. Lilly suggested timing hires with facilities changes and said the office could work with the court on a phased plan.

No hiring decisions were made. Commissioners asked the DA’s office to provide more detailed cost and phasing options. Several commissioners emphasized the county’s uncertainty over the long-term availability of SB 22 funds and asked for proposals that limit the county’s exposure if grant funding ceases.

Lilly also compared Hunt County to similar counties and said some comparable counties have more felony prosecutors for similar population sizes; he argued Hunt County’s staffing has not kept pace with county growth since 2015.

The court took no formal action on the request; commissioners directed staff to return with budget scenarios and implementation options for consideration in the budgeting process.","First assistant DA Steve Lilly asked commissioners to add two attorney positions to handle rising felony filings and to fund the victim's assistance coordinator position currently paid by a state grant (SB 22). Commissioners raised questions about long-term funding and space.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188791,"Hunt County health director asks commissioners for second registered sanitarian to meet inspection requirements",161,127000,288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829&start=127&end=288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062018-8b4a2d2dfd091dafcd0f84908d90d829/thumbnail_127000.jpg","/articles/6188791/Hunt-County/Texas/Hunt-County-health-director-asks-commissioners-for-second-registered-sanitarian-to-meet-inspection-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188791-a36e54e0615a6966633cfb62becc6f22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104075&Signature=L7pv9zcLU-aK9NS1O45Cx5eD8kMJ-xo0rySxI0YkQA8qa~M8WRBTvunWGm5vBzJikd2bxD45V5h4MTD0PIYm4rh1ktpcmow~dRsztRaSu1XsVhTLUxUw3vE3bIanNC0u28bkzM1-IAJ6OJ3ESrFW7HRjreCbWAQXtJRREg6VAMQF5MAQSxpSDRqtIAp6uYAHLLnskNHkCQ6ZQ07QR4ZUwHdvJtTJpt4wDBm32900E4XR4CJaw-xqG3tknnt~iJW8J6Av1tTgvhzqW3w-VZWr8ZfbRW1fVzo0sUfgdjYwRsGES0ta90uZQCnfnhkSok0VuCbpBw8oFWDgIrEA~SZ08A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rodney, director of the Hunt County Health Department, told the Hunt County Commissioner’s Court on June 24 that he is requesting an additional environmental health inspector (registered sanitarian) to meet state inspection requirements and handle growing workload from new food establishments, mobile units and commercial pools.

The request matters because county health staff are responsible for inspecting food establishments and commercial pools outside Greenville city limits under state rules; Rodney said the county currently cannot meet the minimum number of inspections required under state food establishment regulations without an additional inspector.

Rodney said the department currently tracks about 243 food establishments, roughly 80 mobile units, 26 pools and 32 schools that require inspection. “For 243 food establishments, really, there's 2 inspections required per year. That's the minimum,” he said, adding that those two inspections drive a total workload of roughly 486 inspections just for food and about 710 inspections annually when other inspections are included. He also said the department handled 64 rabies reports in 2024 and had already received 38 so far this year.

Rodney described operational constraints: he recently became director and is still performing some inspection work himself while the department is actively recruiting to fill his prior position; he said field work includes long travel between towns in the county and time-consuming follow-ups for complaints, reinspections and pre‑opening checks for pools and schools. “This second position would give us plenty of room for growth for quite some time, and it would allow us to meet all the required number of inspections,” he said.

County staff and commissioners questioned how to pay for another position. The court noted the health office budgeted a little over $423,000 in revenue in one line and that the health fund this year is nearing roughly $690,000 in appropriations; staff later characterized estimated revenue nearer to $500,000 when accounting for grant support. Commissioners and staff referenced a grant that covers a large share of one inspector’s salary; a figure of $71,641 was cited in the meeting as grant funding tied to inspector payroll. Rodney said the grant covered “70 something percent” of a salary and that the department could look at fee adjustments (including starting a reinspection fee) to increase cost recovery.

No formal vote was taken. The court directed staff to work with Rodney and county human resources (Sandy) to review pay ranges and recruitment options and to study fee structures and comparables with nearby jurisdictions to identify revenue options. Judge Stovall said he and staff would reconvene later in the week to try to develop a plan.

The court’s discussion made clear the county provides inspections outside Greenville city limits; Greenville handles inspections inside its city limits. Rodney said the state performs inspections in some sparsely populated areas.

Commissioners asked for a short plan showing the requested position’s fiscal impact and potential fee changes before placing the request on a future agenda for formal consideration.","Hunt County Health Department requested funding for an additional environmental health inspector (registered sanitarian), citing rising numbers of food establishments, mobile units and rabies investigations and state inspection requirements. Commissioners asked staff to study fee and revenue options before deciding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hunt County sheriff asks for four patrol deputies and an investigator to address staffing and response gaps

JP 2 and constable ask commissioners for a full-time clerk as case filings rise

Hunt County DA seeks two prosecutors and permanent funding for victim services coordinator

Hunt County health director asks commissioners for second registered sanitarian to meet inspection requirements