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Scurry County reviews preliminary departmental budget; clerk and elections seek full‑time hires, sheriff outlines SB 22 mental‑health deputy
Summary
At a preliminary budget review, Scurry County officials discussed restoring a full‑time position in the county clerk—s office, hiring a full‑time elections worker, funding security upgrades at an MHMR facility, and using SB 22 funds for a mental‑health deputy; no formal votes were taken.
Scurry County Commissioners on an unspecified date reviewed preliminary departmental budget requests that would shift personnel, maintenance and capital priorities for the coming year. County Clerk Melody told the court her office is strained by recordings, probates and guardianships and asked the court to restore one full‑time position, saying records‑management fees could cover part of the cost. "That is why I'm requesting a full time person back," Melody said, describing an increased workload and reporting demands from state court administration.
Election Administrator Kenny Klick urged approval of a full‑time election position to replace part‑time staffing ahead of several upcoming legislative changes and the 2026 election cycle. Klick said higher election maintenance and equipment costs—primarily the ES&S maintenance agreement and online storage—require increased budget lines. He noted contingency and training expenses tied to new election law changes and said the full‑time hire would improve continuity during high‑demand periods.
County staff presented several nondepartmental changes, including emergency reserve adjustments, postage and copier expense increases, and higher audit and appraisal district fee estimates. The commissioners discussed one proposed increase for the historical commission to support cemetery and marker maintenance, with staff noting the commission has not previously requested general‑fund money.
Security at a county tenant site for MHMR drew detailed discussion. MHMR staff warned that some proposed automatic doors could be difficult for clients to use and described nights when the building had been left unsecured. County staff obtained a quote for maglocks and related access controls of roughly $18,000 and said the maglocks can be configured with a minimum five‑second ADA hold time; commissioners asked staff to explore timer adjustments and alternative configurations.
The sheriff—s office briefed the court on jail cost increases (food, medical fees, transport) and outlined a proposal to add a mental‑health deputy to respond to growing crisis calls. County staff said about $350,000 in SB 22 funds would support deputies and associated equipment; speakers described the deputy as a preventative, crisis‑response position intended to reduce jail admissions by addressing behavioral health needs in the community.
Staff also proposed a $300,000 allocation for the courthouse planning phase, to be taken from fund 29 (abatements) rather than property tax revenue, and cited outside funding possibilities: a Vinergy pledge of $5,000, a potential $10,000 raffle, and a pending T‑Mobile grant application for $50,000. The transcript records an approximate master‑plan price in unclear digits; staff said they will return in July with updated totals.
No motions or formal votes were recorded during this session; commissioners directed staff to refine figures, verify quotes and grant results, and bring updated budget material to a future meeting.
