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Wichita County approves consent agenda, splits public defender intern position into two paid slots
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Summary
The Wichita County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the consent agenda March 3, 2026, tabling an Enterprise lease item, approving uniform procurement changes and a jail shower-repair quote, and authorizing a budget-neutral split of a public defender internship into two $4,000 positions.
Wichita County Commissioners Court on March 3 unanimously approved its consent agenda and authorized a change to the public defender internship program.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the consent agenda after removing item 8 — an interim lease matter involving Enterprise — to allow staff to obtain more information. The court approved a $5,124 uniform shop quote (quote no. 358005) and directed uniform purchases to be run through department 561 for patrol and transport staff, replacing individual $500 allotments with a quartermaster-style purchase system intended to centralize purchases and reduce waste.
"Essentially, we just took the $500 that's allotted to each employee, put it in one lump sum, and we're buying uniforms," said the sheriff (speaking to the court). He said central purchasing will allow reuse of equipment and better tracking of issued items.
The court also approved a $11,900 TWHIX proposal for shower wall repairs at the county jail. Staff and the captain clarified the repairs respond to wall settling and cracking in corners rather than product failure.
In separate votes, the court approved routine bills and payroll authorizations and then addressed general business item 2. Commissioners heard from David of the Division of Public Defender about a regional attorney shortage and recruiting challenges. David asked to split an already-budgeted $8,000 summer intern position into two $4,000 positions and to create position number 26 to allow overlapping internships and improve retention and recruitment.
"We had several applications for the internship position this last year," David said, explaining that splitting the position helps offset lodging and living costs and makes taking the internship feasible for candidates. He described outreach to local law schools and efforts to introduce young attorneys to public defense work.
The court moved (Commissioner Fincannon) and seconded (Commissioner Beauchamp) the measure to split the position; the motion passed 5-0. The court clerk recorded the motions and votes as carried unanimously.
The action is budget-neutral, converting one $8,000 allotment into two $4,000 slots and creating a new position number; commissioners said the step is intended to bolster local recruitment of attorneys.
The court adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
