After executive session, commissioners recommend Michael Furr as interim telecommunications director

After returning from an executive session on June 10, the Lavaca County Commissioners Court recommended that the Sheriff's Department appoint Lavaca County EMS Chief Michael Furr as interim telecommunications director to oversee the county's dispatch operations.

The presiding judge said the recommendation was prompted by the retirement of long-time telecommunications director Gina DeBoer (retired effective 05/15/2024), a forthcoming major telecommunications (Motorola) project, and the need for continuity during a sheriff's office transition. The judge described the role as important for protecting public safety and ensuring the project continues: "Having a stable leader at this time, such as Michael Furr, will certainly help keep the first responder community... focused on our task, which is to keep Lavaca County safe," the presiding judge said.

The motion to recommend the Sheriff's Department appoint Chief Michael Furr at no extra cost to the sheriff's department or Lavaca County was made by the presiding judge and seconded; the court approved the recommendation by voice vote. Commissioners emphasized that the dispatch function remains under the sheriff's authority and that the recommendation is nonbinding; the court also tabled a separate proposal to expand the telecommunications committee's duties pending discussion with Sheriff's Office representatives.