Lead Jailer Leann Sikes asked the Trinity County Commissioners Court to add jail staff, saying there are not enough people to meet all the duties of the job or to cover time off. Sikes said the county cut jail staff for budget reasons but did not reduce the responsibilities. She said one jailer is a National Guard member and another has a broken arm, and that state requirements, transport, medical emergencies and dispatch duties were becoming harder to meet.
Jaques Ballard, a field representative with the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, said positions were eliminated from the sheriff's office despite added state funding and a tax increase. He said the association had notified its legislative representation and hoped the Legislature would revisit law enforcement funding for rural communities.
Commissioner Tommy Park disagreed with Sikes' description. He said the road department budget was cut by $80,000 and the jail budget was increased by $335,000 to reserve beds in the Angelina County jail. He also said taxpayers should not be blamed for open positions, since some jailers had resigned. No action was taken because the discussion took place during public forum.
In a separate matter, Treasurer Orrin Hargrave resigned. He told commissioners he had a new work opportunity that was a better fit for him and his family. The court accepted the resignation and appointed Deputy Treasurer Rebecca Kesinger as interim treasurer. Kesinger is the sole candidate for treasurer in the November election.