May 22, 2025 - The commissioners approved the appointment of Del Birdwell as a reserve deputy Constable with Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, during their May 7, 2025 meeting for the purpose of carrying Birdwell's peace officer commission.
“Mr. Birdwell was told the city was not gonna be carrying the commission any longer. So it is for carrying his commission only. There's gonna be no pay, he's just gonna be carrying his commission,” said County Judge Harbison.
There was some discussion of the intricacies of carrying a commission, and it was understood agencies do this to assist officers in retaining their peace officer’s commission whether or not they are employed by law enforcement. If an officer loses their commission, they can’t work as a peace officer for an agency.
Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, moved to approve appointing Del Birdwell as reserve deputy constable and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The commissioners considered paying an invoice from Strickland Plumbing in the amount of $6,000 for the repair of the main water line under the old Elementary School.
County Attorney John Price gave his opinion in favor of the county being responsible for the expense.
“it's a bill that the county has the responsibility for in my opinion, legally, under the terms of the lease agreement, which is what I reviewed,” said Price. “Their obligation is to maintain the premises and keep the grounds up. this is a major item here and it's not directly addressed in the contract that was signed back there some time ago. I think that contract was signed back in way back in 2010 but under the terms of this lease arrangement It's my legal opinion that the county has the responsibility for repairing this problem.”
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to pay the invoice as presented by Strickland Plumbing. Commissioner Stevie Smith seconded the motion and it carried.
Judge Harbison said she was excited the expense came in at a lesser amount than what was originally quoted.
The commissioners received a racial profiling report from Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, and Commissioner Bellmyer moved to accept the report. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried.
A racial profiling report from Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, was discussed and Debby Snider, Administrative Assistant to Judge Harbison, informed the court Tipton believed he had already turned one in.
There was further discussion about the need to have a racial profiling report filed with the state, and Judge Harbison encouraged Price to make contact with Constable Tipton about the issue.
No action was taken.
Judge Harbison reported on attempting to make contact with American Elevators. She informed them it’s mandatory the county receives a report on the elevator work, and they informed her Shelby County is next in line. A date wasn’t provided, and a report wasn’t received before the meeting.
Discussion continued over the elevator work, and the possibility of the county seeking for the company to return money that has already been invested.
County Attorney Price was asked to make contact with the company and he said he would take care of it.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:05am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Pay current payroll. 3. Authorize Constable Jamie Hagler, Precinct 2 to appoint Del Birdwell, as a reserve deputy Constable for the purpose of carrying his peace officer’s commission. 4. Renewal and two-year contract extension of Farmers State Bank Depository Contract as authorized by Section 116.021 (a) of the Local Government Code. 5. Pay the invoice from Strickland Plumbing in the amount of $6,000 for the repair of the main water line under the old Elementary School. 6. Record Racial Profiling report for Constable Pct. 3, Roy Cheatwood. 7. Adjourn 10:05am.
