The Hockley County Commissioners’ Court approved sheriff conference expenses among other items during their regular meeting held Dec. 2 at the Hockley County Courthouse.
The approved conference expenses were for incoming Sheriff Chris Wischkaemper to attend a San Marcos leadership event in mid-December.
The conference, the Sheriffs’ Executive Leadership Academy, will be held from Dec. 8-12, stated on the meeting’s agenda.
According to the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, the academy is designed to address the duties and requirements of the Texas Sheriff’s Office and is intended for newly elected or reelected sheriffs.
In the conference’s agenda, information regarding topics like investigations, jails, court safety and security, as well as other training will be addressed during the week-long event.
Judge Sharla Baldridge said the sheriff will submit expenses for the conference once he has attended it.
The court also approved the allocation of surplus materials from the Texas Department of Transportation for both a 2025 County Assistance Program and participation in the Local Government Assistance Program.
Under the Local Government Assistance Program, TxDOT is required to provide a minimum amount of materials to help counties maintain county roads and bridges, according to the department’s website. These materials may be either surplus or new.
The site also reports that another state act requires the department to provide engineering, maintenance expertise and surplus materials to cities and counties. However, surplus materials are only offered to cities when TxDOT meets obligations under a Texas transportation code.
Also during the meeting, Cara Phelan presented the Public Assistance Report for November.
There were four assistance requests for the month, all being for electricity. Phelan also said there were no denials, but some are still pending.
She said the money for the program is in pretty good shape at the moment.
The court approved the 2025 calendar designating the day of the week on which the Commissioners’ Court will meet during the regular term.
Baldridge said the first, third and fifth Mondays are the regular term meetings. However, during budget time, those are all regular meetings so they can make any deadlines that are necessary.
The 2023-2025 Hockley County Historical Commission board members were approved.
Baldridge said the item must be done every other year.
The court approved the minutes for their Nov. 18 meeting, as well as all bills and claims submitted to the court through Monday.