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Officials raise concerns about courthouse elevator delays and building security; judge emphasizes firearms prohibition
Summary
County officials and court staff reported ongoing elevator repairs and related courthouse maintenance problems and raised security concerns after multiple reports of people entering the courthouse with firearms. A judge reminded the record that firearms are prohibited in courtrooms regardless of signage.
Dimmit County officials discussed persistent problems with the courthouse elevator and related maintenance, and several speakers raised concerns about security and staffing in courtrooms.
Court staff said the courthouse elevator remains out of service and that repair vendors have reported supply delays for parts. "Once that's done ... the elevator is a problem," one speaker said, reporting repeated follow‑up with a vendor and patchy responses from a contact identified in the transcript as "Mister Pereira."
Separately, court staff and judges described security staffing shortages and incidents in which people entered the courthouse with firearms while courtrooms were in use. A judge emphasized the legal prohibition on firearms in courtrooms, saying the law is clear that firearms are not allowed in governmental courtrooms regardless of whether a sign is posted.
"That sign is there to put them on notice. But if you're in a governmental building, unless there's an exception to that law, you cannot do it regardless if there's [a sign]," the judge said.
County officials offered assistance from the sheriff's office for security needs and asked staff to communicate specifics so the sheriff's office can coordinate support. The transcript excerpts show officials agreeing to follow up on security guard coverage and elevator repair timelines, but they do not record a formal action or vote on additional security funding or contracts.
