The Hockley County Commissioners’ Court held a special meeting on Monday, approving the payment of bills submitted for local capital cases.
The court approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the case expenses.
A bill was submitted for an appellate attorney on the defense side for the Soto-Chavira case, totaling about $19,000 after discussions.
Additionally, a second bill was submitted for the Atchison case, costing about $6,000.
During the discussion of the item, members of the court questioned why payments were being made for the appeals process considering where the capital cases are at. Recently, Soto-Chavira’s trial was postponed for reasons concerning competency.
Jody Rose presented returns from the November general election to the court during the meeting.
There were 8,041 voters in the election, down 23 from 2020. However, Rose said most of the other election year turnout numbers were beaten.
There were about the same number of early voters as in the 2020 general election, even factoring in the extra week of early voting in 2020 due to COVID-19.
It was about a 57% turnout. Rose said the number of registered voters was historically high, landing at around 14,000.
Another agenda item addressed a portion of Chickadee Road located North of FM 1585. It was approved to become a private road maintained by United Cotton Growers.
Commissioner Alan Wisdom said everything is legally in order and the road will still be open to emergency vehicles.
The stretch of road is about eight-tenths of a mile, according to the meeting agenda.
The court approved all monthly bills and claims submitted to them through Monday, as well as monthly reports from multiple Hockley County offices.
The court also reviewed and approved the minutes for their special meeting held last Tuesday.
Approvals at that meeting included the County Judge’s application for Senate Bill 22 funds for the Sheriff’s Office and conference attendance expenses for incoming District Attorney Donnie Yandell.
Commissioner Alan Wisdom was approved to serve on the board of directors for the South Plains Rural Transit District, and Kelli Martin was approved to serve on the board of directors for the South Plains Regional Housing Authority.