[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6129075,"mediaKeyId","5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8","parentId",5748460,"title","Court approves purchase of replacement batteries and bypass switch for LEC UPS to protect servers","audioSeconds",331,"startMs",9969000,"endMs",10300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8&start=9969&end=10300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8/thumbnail_9969000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6129075/Potter-County/Texas/Court-approves-purchase-of-replacement-batteries-and-bypass-switch-for-LEC-UPS-to-protect-servers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129075-1a2c0ccca0288e4ab1723ceb87633762/orig.mp4?Expires=1773176521&Signature=G6GyRMOdMKTwt4raSLHhv107k-MVBZPwJHMlCn1fpnUYxS0e-v5gEdhenRZsS0l3NezyJ2hHKxZrD0~n4dJ89DGpeG31wqzFqc-fmtbY0fEM2bmI94QD1a03t4sADya0D31tK6hwgCFrcVTwpZNwS2TyZ5Hi1jPVwju~RauCHsD~VJuh78zc~14D9Ve46OFEGAY9ba8RSDgdKFmO-IKNiuGsN~PVx2rMSzFWhLiNVx0yn3JOsb55186OazO1M81aoXcljXqQHmqdmIKEEUGzbn9ulJOT~tt08eZdpi~p5KmhPox9I9IU6gNdVhM6FogDJhZIlNhoK5G3~EWYuAbq8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Potter County, TX","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","The court approved a purchase request from the county’s information‑technology department for replacement batteries and an electric bypass switch for the Law Enforcement Center’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system. IT staff said vendor inspection determined the unit had reached end‑of‑life and required immediate battery replacement; the UPS protects core servers during the brief transfer to generator power.

IT staff said the batteries are expensive because the LEC uses a large, centralized UPS (not the smaller closet units). The vendor recommended adding the replacement to a UPS rotation program; staff said typical life expectancy for the replacement cells is five to eight years. Commissioners voted to authorize the purchase and use capital-equipment funds to pay for it (vote 5–0).

The IT director said the budget had funds because another capital project came in under budget, making the replacement available without increasing the county’s overall capital spending. The court approved the request and directed IT to proceed with the vendor work and to schedule the replacement to minimize service disruption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Potter County Commissioners' Court Meeting 09/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","County IT presented an urgent, unplanned purchase of replacement batteries and an electric bypass switch for the Law Enforcement Center's UPS system to ensure safe transition to generator power; court approved funding from Capital Equipment.","taxTitle","Potter County, Texas","taxId",2716,"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},6129079,"Court approves Jimline Road change order and a $422,495.10 contractor pay application",97,1429000,1526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8&start=1429&end=1526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8/thumbnail_1429000.jpg","/articles/6129079/Potter-County/Texas/Court-approves-Jimline-Road-change-order-and-a-42249510-contractor-pay-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129079-205e99946625f7416d7e1946616d4279/orig.mp4?Expires=1773176521&Signature=EuPyO65liogzrowwsJlgieHGZ725qFlALFxADNRzHYwbIYBxvdEu~90ndGcmPJT5EZ7DWnKJKAiUe2Nv4j1Ntcm1yCgGwNeqiIi1O12MmDsfpkCUGLU6cezeHOOyaN1iL6xAEDnxTxZ7yCzvmj3Y9VOESRdh5ayscFkF5o8iFuisnVRNu77pHZPiUvyW9RB8d-ZNkDc5P59GyHvFM4c8NvNhawUm8fyZ8CztGqj-sHYVnH8sbtwvWZsMnb1-xAov1KA2gCztc-pohHcqvTCsJ7TDqcs-ELqG0KOIs9J53721Kb51b7iw6A876smaxdALjNunb8wW1E4M-duPSZbqIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners Court approved a change order and a contractor pay application Monday for the Jimline Road expansion project. County engineering staff described the change order as 300 feet of extra ditch work and additional fill for areas cut too low; the work was described as a safety fix. The court approved change order No. 2 after staff said the cost remains within the project budget.

The court also approved pay application No. 4 from Holmes Construction in the amount of $422,495.10 after project staff confirmed the contractor's current work was complete for the pay period and that one payout remains outstanding before final closeout. Commissioners asked if any state materials were provided; staff said the county chose concrete and the project remains within the budget.

Both votes passed unanimously, 5–0. Project representatives said demolition, backfill, and demo of sidewalks were underway and that the general contractor was beginning basement backfill that week.

Commissioners and staff discussed withholding final retention until punch-list items are complete; staff said one more payout remains and final quantities are being reconciled.","Commissioners approved change order No. 2 for Jimline Road to repair over‑cut ditch work and approved pay application No. 4 for Holmes Construction in the amount of $422,495.10; staff said the project remains within budget with one payout still pending.",{"_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},6129084,"Court approves increases to constable eviction and writ fees, adds new 'squatters' writ fee",415,832000,1247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8&start=832&end=1247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8/thumbnail_832000.jpg","/articles/6129084/Potter-County/Texas/Court-approves-increases-to-constable-eviction-and-writ-fees-adds-new-squatters-writ-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129084-b73bfcbba7ec3ddcc6eb17507c1eb68e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773176521&Signature=RV7PNzOUOO7v65eE~nw~YOiK3BUWkZInZZ0fuSxLEQZxJSd30Oy4iDec-zErCsf2kzJLjCpCmG9aS6yYNbmzX9y1wevyIyXbWsdBNercMZZzP5feLN0ij4mLp8pNub12WRDNoD~lZIzhdCCnH4mDuMSPhK1csQCakNv2TsC3FndHcDi7dUa68npxcU6fLHkUEy2VxVQE4X9zUCe~i34m2GYQqswg~TvLBYLna2nzovfFn37f8t8Egokmy9H-F7GZkv9BrPNC2xiR6Bg6JQmxL9gTJv6ABNgLc5i69IW1fXpn591wQv1zCmKHmqxCa4Wa-L-Ax8UcvDpuIfZdpqr3bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners Court approved an increase in constable service fees Monday, raising eviction- and forcible-detainer citation fees to $125 and adding a combined writ-of-possession/squatters-writ fee set at $225. The constable who presented the item said new state law and recent court changes have added procedures and time pressure on constable offices when serving eviction matters and the recently enacted squatter-related writ that went into effect Sept. 1 has added immediate workload.

The constable explained that the ‘squatters’ writ’ process allows landlords to file directly with the constable or sheriff (not through the court) under specified statutory standards; local constables are responsible for promptly verifying claims and physically removing occupants when appropriate. The presenter described instances of hazardous conditions encountered during evictions and said staff levels in the office remain a single‑deputy operation for the county’s scope of work.

Commissioner discussion focused on keeping fees uniform across the county and avoiding fee differentials that would push requests to the sheriff’s office simply because of lower charges. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff to keep rates aligned; the court approved motions to raise the constable fees and to apply changes uniformly with the sheriff’s fees (vote 5–0).

Authorities cited in the discussion included Texas Government Code section 118.131, which governs constable fees and service charges. The court’s action permits the constable’s office to begin charging the higher fees under the county’s fee schedule once administrative updates are completed.

Discussion-only items included anecdotal accounts of squatters and fires in vacant structures that the constable tied to squatters activity. Direction given to staff included confirming precise billing lines and ensuring that clerk/judicial offices and the constable’s office update payment and remittance processes to reflect the new fees.

The court approved the fee changes by unanimous vote, 5–0.","Commissioners approved higher fees for constable services including eviction citations and a newly described 'squatters' writ; the changes reflect state statutory changes and increased workload for constable deputies and will be set uniform with sheriff fees.",{"_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},6129089,"Potter County adopts budget and sets proposed tax rate; schedules public hearing for Sept. 22",419,12381000,12800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8&start=12381&end=12800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8/thumbnail_12381000.jpg","/articles/6129089/Potter-County/Texas/Potter-County-adopts-budget-and-sets-proposed-tax-rate-schedules-public-hearing-for-Sept-22","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129089-e574e85e1bd4d4649aadbde086a414dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773176521&Signature=FuNSl~G2lKvgy0gZi-wfPjETbkdqJxlPuxCbc0lbwhnFpD4z3iSI-dzfITW2fI044gd5UGhCTcFHC6-7yeyEl9W6ZL6fgKS8rYMCTJuIORrBZDzfkkDKdjKbU6rWhZcxZraRz2~EKYAWMo4jgkrArChIkWZnLDcH5TSf~0WN5agxanbzkg4G23RwYrU~rBUoX~8mKj-z3ujZwsJhBwoM12Hoz-ojXUTYzzqImOdyfBhdZymWJSsXfA3ZDqc3idXDseXOc1OCEjWRcZFwCKVsXpF1B7NxqqPzvU8UQa5D6JsxiCH56QEUUis4dJICnplRp7VIdj0pjxgrQ3IDVLv~nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Potter County Commissioners Court adopted the proposed fiscal-year budget Monday and set a proposed property tax rate and public hearing date on a tax increase. The court voted to adopt the budget as presented and later proposed a total rate of 0.59024 per $100 valuation (with a maintenance & operations component of 0.54946 and a debt component of 0.04078). The court scheduled the public hearing and final vote on the tax rate for Sept. 22 at 9 a.m.

County Auditor Brandon presented forecast figures and explained that the county’s unassigned fund balance had grown in recent years — partly due to federal ARPA transfers — but cautioned about using fund balance for recurring salary increases. Commissioners repeatedly asked staff to model recurring vs. one-time funding so that pay increases are paired with stable revenue sources rather than sustained out of reserves.

Commissioners approved a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment applied countywide (action approved by court vote, 5–0 during the meeting) and separately approved several one-time reassignments of budgeted but unfilled positions to free funds for emergency staffing and certificate-pay proposals discussed elsewhere in the meeting. The net effect of the adopted budget and the actions the court took that day produced a projected effective tax-rate increase reported in the meeting materials as an estimated 4.7 percent change over the prior year; staff presented a taxpayer-impact statement using the county’s median residential value and showed approximate monthly dollar impacts for homeowners.

Why it matters: The adoption of the proposed budget and the decision to propose the indicated tax rate launch the statutory public-notice and hearing schedule. The court’s budget votes also included a series of one-time reallocations (position eliminations, CAD usage) that commissioners said they would revisit as part of next year’s budget process.

What was discussion only: Commissioners debated whether to use CAD or fund balances for recurring versus one-time costs and discussed station remodel timing for fire. What was direction: Auditor to return with models showing recurring-revenue options and the effects of the latest position eliminations. What was formal action: adopt the proposed budget (vote 5–0); propose total tax rate 0.59024 and set public hearing for Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. (vote 5–0).","Commissioners voted to adopt the fiscal 2025–26 proposed budget, set a proposed property tax rate (0.59024) and scheduled a public hearing and final tax-rate vote for Sept. 22 at 9 a.m.; they discussed using one-time funds to cover near-term costs while urging caution on recurring spending.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6129094,"Potter County court approves one-time staffing shifts, $183,540 certificate-pay fund for sheriff; directs further salary study",6728,2122000,8850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8&start=2122&end=8850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5748460-83ec2273d44cae24c3732821e86b2ab8/thumbnail_2122000.jpg","/articles/6129094/Potter-County/Texas/Potter-County-court-approves-one-time-staffing-shifts-183540-certificate-pay-fund-for-sheriff-directs-further-salary-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129094-00651dd68a93277bc80b0fc434f7c88a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773176521&Signature=Bg-ZD5ATH9kVcakSB7uIrs8bxt12shjjnsVfMpwyqahF4JWnxAW9SgRsaUTZavLrQKwGg4DCULDiLonoODtRCNVyEqdISr9c0iDxhXciIYPG6LC~9eTfNStwTZE0XQQp79RmTE9JdbeQFWpmOYw0mKpTpxNegFEeG0hBFnusygxYv43Tm08O1NV~i8OI9KGErZvMVpzfCXo~~26OvDMVkeVHCpVrB7ZWgWFEJQFVrpifJDjZ11nIv9LLawpYmYtjPaSWLt8k9sti4eOsWYaoUAOv4jaJd6lmp5B9HWmAZS5HetmDrcrFNwUeIYGNx5~R7hlZcFoOpd8Fy0~hemh0dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Potter County Commissioners on Monday approved a set of short-term steps to ease staffing pressures in the county’s public-safety agencies, including $183,540 to expand certificate pay for sheriff’s office personnel and the creation of a county fire marshal position funded from the county’s capital account (CAD). The court also accepted the removal of several unfilled positions from department budgets to free money for those moves.

County Fire Rescue and the sheriff’s office told the court they had been losing staff and increasingly relied on overtime and volunteers. Jonathan Stevens, who came forward with colleagues to describe recent fire responses, said the department “is currently the only department in the county that relies heavily on a volunteer-driven model, and it is failing,” and asked commissioners to restore pay increases and a fire marshal role that had been cut from an earlier draft budget.

The court approved a motion allocating an additional $183,540 to expand certificate pay across ranks in the sheriff’s office — a program the sheriff’s deputies’ association said would extend stipend payments to telecommunicators and jailers and raise existing certificate stipends for patrol ranks. Commissioners also voted to remove a set of unfilled noncustodial positions (including a deputy clerk in the county clerk’s office and a deputy position proposed for courthouse security) so that those funds could be redistributed to public-safety compensation and staffing. The court approved the certificate-pay allocation and the personnel removals by recorded voice vote, each passing unanimously, 5–0.

Separately, commissioners added a full-time county fire marshal position at a captain-level pay grade to the county payroll, with salary and benefits to be funded from the CAD. The county’s project manager and fire officials told the court a candidate on staff could be certified and in place within a year; the court approved that motion 5–0.

Sheriff’s office leaders told the court the agency has lost roughly 15 employees in the past year and currently has several deputies “ready to leave” for higher pay elsewhere. The sheriff’s starting pay as stated in the meeting was $62,868.72, with step increases at two and four years; the deputies’ association asked the court to move pay “closer to state averages,” proposing a mix of percentage raises and larger certificate pay to narrow gaps with neighboring agencies.

Commissioners asked the sheriff’s office to refine its salary study and to provide apples‑to‑apples comparisons with counties (not police departments) in the region. The court and department officials also agreed to continue discussing use of CAD funds, forfeiture and commissary revenue, and other one-time sources to partially offset recurring pay requests.

The court’s actions were framed as transitional: several commissioners said funding from CAD or one-time position eliminations could be used now, with broader compensation changes to be revisited in the next budget cycle after a more detailed salary study.

What was discussion only: Commissioners and the public debated longer-term remodeling of Station 5 and other capital projects; that $850,000 remodel project remained on the table for later consideration. What was direction/assignment: commissioners directed staff and the sheriff’s office to return with a cleaned, apples-to-apples salary comparison and asked county administration to show how CAD or other reallocations could sustain recurring costs. What was formal action: the court approved (1) the $183,540 certificate-pay expansion for the sheriff’s office (vote 5–0), (2) removal of specified unfilled positions to free funds (vote 5–0), and (3) creation of a CAD‑funded county fire marshal position at captain pay (vote 5–0).

The court asked both departments to continue working with county staff so any future recurring pay increases can be paired with recurring revenue or longer-term budget adjustments.","After public testimony from fire and sheriff officials, the Commissioners Court approved reallocations and a $183,540 certificate-pay package for the sheriff's office, removed several unfilled positions to free funds, and added a county fire marshal post to the CAD-funded roster.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court approves purchase of replacement batteries and bypass switch for LEC UPS to protect servers

Court approves Jimline Road change order and a $422,495.10 contractor pay application

Court approves increases to constable eviction and writ fees, adds new 'squatters' writ fee

Potter County adopts budget and sets proposed tax rate; schedules public hearing for Sept. 22

Potter County court approves one-time staffing shifts, $183,540 certificate-pay fund for sheriff; directs further salary study