Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Commissioners approve second full‑time court reporter for 470th District to speed child‑protection dockets
Summary
The McLennan County Commissioners Court approved creating a second full‑time court reporter position for the 470th District Court effective immediately, to help the child protection docket meet the 12‑month final‑hearing deadline under Texas law.
McLennan County commissioners on Tuesday approved a second full‑time court reporter position for the 470th District Court to support the child protection docket and help meet statutory deadlines.
The court voted to make the position effective immediately so the county can post the job and begin recruiting. Judge Susan Minkowski, who requested the position, told the court the additional reporter is needed because the child protection docket runs concurrently with an associate judge’s hearings and a single reporter cannot cover both calendars.
Why it matters: Section 263.401 of the Texas Family Code gives child protection cases a dismissal date roughly 12 months after children are removed from their homes, and the statute requires the final hearing to commence on or before that dismissal date. Judge Minkowski said repeated use of contract reporters and frequent interruptions to hearings have resulted in delays and threatened compliance with that deadline.
Judge Minkowski told commissioners the court has relied on contract reporters who often appear remotely and whose turnover is high. “When you have multiple court reporters working on a single case, that can be pretty complicated,” she said, and added the lack of a consistent reporter has forced courts to recess mid‑trial and reschedule, prolonging cases.
Budget and timing: Judge Minkowski estimated a reporter’s full compensation at about $112,000 plus benefits. She said the 470th Court will contribute $35,000 already budgeted for contract services and proposed a $30,000 reduction elsewhere in the 470th budget; she also noted $28,000 in the April budget that could be amended to cover part of FY2025 costs to allow a July 15 start if desired. Commissioners instructed staff to make the position effective immediately for posting purposes.
The court approved the request by voice vote. The judge and county staff said they would return with a formal job posting and salary details to be resolved by the district judges and HR.
Looking ahead: Commissioners and the judge framed the hire as an operational change to ensure statutory deadlines are met and to reduce repeated interruptions and rescheduling of multi‑party child protection trials. Staff will post the position and return with a hiring plan and formal budget amendment if needed.
