Commissioners raise alarm over courtroom audio quality, defer Jab recording-system decision

Commissioners at the Grayson County Commissioners Court said the courtroom’s digital recording and microphone system is failing to capture testimony reliably, and they agreed to consult district judges before deciding whether to continue the Jab maintenance contract.

At the budget workshop and related business session, multiple commissioners and staff described difficulty hearing speakers through the courtroom microphones and noted that the court reporter and others have trouble understanding recorded audio. “This is terrible,” one commissioner said, adding: “We have spent 3/4 of a million dollars on that one room and we can’t hear.” The remark underscored frustration that recent courtroom improvements had not solved audio or recording problems.

Staff clarified that the Jab item pertains only to the courtroom recording system and not to room acoustics. Commissioners discussed whether the microphone hardware or the digital-recording configuration needs repair or replacement, and whether the maintenance contract includes the necessary fixes. One commissioner suggested coordinating with the district judge(s) to ensure judicial agreement before committing county funds or continuing the maintenance agreement.

The court recorded a motion to table further action on the Jab contract so staff can consult judges and gather information; the transcript records the motion being made and seconded but does not include a roll-call tally in the record. Commissioners emphasized that the court reporter’s ability to hear proceedings is a priority when evaluating technology and contract terms.

Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will consult district judges about system performance and return with recommendations; the court will not finalize the Jab maintenance contract until judges’ input and cost/repair details are available.