Lynn County commissioners conditionally approve Heritage Place preliminary plat, accept indigent defense grant and approve bonds

County Judge Mike Braddock and the Lynn County Commissioner’s Court voted Oct. 13 to accept the preliminary plat for Heritage Place Subdivision contingent on a written letter from the City of New Home stating it will provide water service, approved the county’s FY2026 Indigent Defense Grant resolution and ratified several bonds and routine county claims.

The court’s action on the Heritage Place preliminary plat followed a presentation by Calloway Huffaker on behalf of the subdivision developer. Judge Mike Braddock told the court that the county will require a letter from the City of New Home confirming it will furnish water to the subdivision before the final plat is accepted. "To accept the final plat, there will need to be a letter from the City of New Home stating they are going to furnish water to Heritage Place Subdivision," Braddock said. Commissioner Larry Durham moved to accept the preliminary plat pending that letter; Commissioner John Hawthorne seconded. With Commissioner Tate Gass absent, the four members present voted in favor and the motion carried.

The court also accepted its routine annual Indigent Defense Grant resolution for fiscal year 2026. Judge Braddock introduced the resolution and Commissioner Matt Woodley moved to accept it; Commissioner Larry Durham seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous among members present.

County Clerk Karen Rendon presented bonds for county officials and staff, including a bond for Commissioner John Hawthorne, Lisa Meeks as County Judge court coordinator, Courtney Odom as District Clerk, and a bond amount increase for County Judge Mike Braddock. Commissioner John Hawthorne moved to approve the bonds and Commissioner Matt Woodley seconded; the motion passed unanimously among those present.

Jail Administrator Martin Rosas reported the county jail population totaled 33 inmates: 25 from Lynn County, five from Potter County, one from Floyd County and two from Lubbock.

County Treasurer Amy Schuknecht presented the county’s claims and payroll for payment. Commissioner Larry Durham moved to approve and pay the claims; Commissioner John Hawthorne seconded. The court approved the payments by unanimous vote of members present.

In other business, Judge Braddock said he has been discussing with Sinclair the possibility of replacing a geothermal system with a chiller on the courthouse’s second and third floors. He said Sinclair is verifying whether those floors can support a chiller and that he is exploring grant opportunities to offset the cost, but provided no cost estimates or timelines.

The meeting opened at 9:30 a.m. with Commissioner Matt Woodley offering the invocation and Judge Braddock leading the pledges. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. Commissioner Woodley moved to adjourn at 10:00 a.m.; Judge Braddock seconded and the court adjourned following a unanimous vote of those present.