Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Records Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize retired attorney to shred or transfer closed client files
Summary
Howard County Commissioners unanimously authorized a retired attorney to either transfer closed client files to county custody or proceed with on‑site shredding, after being told permanent records remain with the district clerk and no active litigation involving those files is known.
A retired practitioner told the court they have large volumes of closed client files and asked commissioners either to accept custody or to authorize secure shredding.
"My kids can shred them, but I can't do anything with them unless I get the authority of the client to either take possession of the file or allow me to shred it and destroy it," the presenter said. He explained a contractor from Midland performs on‑site shredding and that permanent records filed with the district clerk would remain available. Commissioners discussed the potential for litigation and whether destroyed materials could be needed in a future dispute; the presenter said he was unaware of any litigation involving those files and noted the most recent file they handled was from 2019.
The court took a motion put forward by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Ray to allow the presenter to proceed with shredding unless the county opted to take custody. The motion passed unanimously. The court recorded the action as authorization for secure disposal or transfer of the closed files and asked staff to pull two files for review before final disposition.
