Quorum Court addresses District Court shortfall

Howard County’s District Court experienced a shortfall in their 2020 budget of more than $30,000 dollars. J.P.’s used some unappropriated money to cover the needs for this year. Currently, its looking like there will be an even larger gap to make up heading into 2021. District Judge Jessica Steel Gunter has informed the county treasurer that District Court is presently $65,000 dollars short. COVID-19 is partially to blame for the larger deficit, because court proceedings were halted for several weeks earlier this year. Less fine money is being collected and fewer tickets have been written.
No possible solutions were given at Monday’s quorum court meeting.
Yesterday’s meeting also focused on the Howard County Assessor’s office. Assessor Debbie Teague, who was sworn in to a four year term in January 2019, developed a serious medical condition a few months into the term last year and has not been at work for a majority of time since then. J.P.’s agreed to ask County Attorney Aaron Brassel to research the situation and report back next month on what options the county might have in resolving the situation.