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Sheriff—9s Office asks commissioners for eight new bailiffs, sergeant and two vehicles for new courthouse
Summary
Chief Tim Jones told the Smith County Commissioners Court that a much larger courthouse and higher screening volumes require eight additional bailiffs (five for district court, three for county court), one courthouse security sergeant and two vehicles; he gave salary and equipment cost estimates and cited a 2024 rise in courthouse incidents.
Chief Tim Jones, chief of courthouse security for the Smith County Sheriff—s Office, told commissioners during the budget workshop that the office is requesting eight new bailiff positions, one courthouse security sergeant and two vehicles to staff the county—s larger, incoming courthouse.
Jones said the increase is driven by a planned courthouse that will expand from about 50,000 square feet to more than 270,000 square feet and by higher screening volumes. "We're requesting for 8 additional bailiffs," Jones told the court, adding the split would be "five for the district courts and three for the county courts." He said the goal is to have two bailiffs assigned to each courtroom so one deputy is not left alone when an in-court arrest or other duty requires leaving the interior barrier.
Why it matters: courthouse security deputies…
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