Howard County Quorum Court drafts resolution concerning County Assessor’s position

The Howard County Quorum Court has voted to draft a resolution to be discussed at next month’s meeting concerning the Assessor’s position. Debbie Teague, who is in the second year of a four year term, has been in the office on a minimal basis since suffering a serious medical condition in the spring of 2019. County Attorney Aaron Brasel briefed j.p.’s at their November meeting yesterday on possible scenarios. Brasel said the resolution is the first step toward declaring a vacancy, but also informed the justices that the process won’t be as simple as declaring a vacancy and appointing someone else to fill out the remaining term of just over two years. Brasel said j.p.’s can vote on the resolution next month, and Teague would then have the right to appeal their decision, a move that would take the matter to circuit court.
Yesterday’s vote to draft the resolution was approved 4 to 3, with two members being absent.

9th West Judicial District Circuit Judge Elect Bryan Chesshir spoke at Monday’s Howard County Quorum Court meeting regarding office space when he takes over the judge’s position in January. Chesshir has been given space for his office in the upstairs section of the courthouse annex. However, the space is an open area. Chesshir said he requested bids on the project & received a $12,600 dollar bid from Harris Construction to do the remodeling. Chesshir stated the county’s law library would fund a majority of the project. He requested $5,000 dollars from the county, which was approved by j.p.’s.