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Commissioners authorize interview committees to begin searches for precinct and clerk vacancies
Summary
The court authorized interview and performance‑review committees to begin a search for candidates to recommend for a vacant Precinct 4 commissioner seat and a potential 2025 county clerk vacancy; the county clerk asked to be included in the process and the county attorney explained the committees’ recommendations would be nonbinding to the judge.
The Liberty County Commissioners Court voted on Nov. 26 to form interview and performance‑review committees to begin recruiting candidates to recommend for a vacancy in Commissioner Precinct 4 and to begin a search process for a potential Liberty County Clerk vacancy in 2025.
County Attorney (Speaker 9) explained that, under state law, the Liberty County Judge has sole authority to appoint a replacement commissioner, but the court may form a committee to do the advertising, screening and recommending work. He said the committee’s recommendations would be presented to the judge but would not bind the judge’s final decision: “...the power to replace a commissioner rests solely with the Liberty County Judge…we are recommending that county judge allow the committee an opportunity to present recommendations.”
County Clerk Lee objected to not being consulted earlier in the clerk vacancy process, saying, “I am not deceased. I’m sitting right here… I don’t sit on this committee…Why am I not included?” Court members responded that the motion was only to start the search process and that the incumbent’s input would be solicited as the committee develops posting language and qualification criteria.
The court approved motions to begin the processes for both vacancies. Commissioners noted portions of candidate review might occur in executive session where appropriate, and that the committees would present recommended candidates and qualification summaries to commissioners and the judge for consideration.
The committee steps are administrative and advisory; the judge retains appointment authority for the commissioner vacancy, and the commissioners indicated they would seek incumbent input when developing the candidate profile.
