The Hockley County Commissioners’ Court held a regular meeting Monday, which saw a handful of action items approved.
Following the approval of the minutes from a November 13 special meeting and the monthly bills and claims dated through November 13, the court shifted their focus toward considering a memorandum of understanding between the South Plains Community Action Association and the Hockley County Public Assistance and Indigent Health Care.
Cara Phelan presented the topic explaining that the memorandum is nothing new and the court approves the agreement yearly. It was explained that there are times that Hockley County has benefits that can help the community and the SPCAA may not at the time and vice-versa. Moving forward the court unanimously approved the item.
The next item dealt with canvassing the returns of the November 7 Constitutional Amendment Election. Hockley County Elections Administrator Jody Rose presented the court with information. Rose explained that the total number for voting turnout was 1,909 which 14.4% of the total registered voters within the county. The number is up 7% from 2021.
Additionally, the court considered the approval of two road crossings in Precinct 1, which were on Yearling Road and Deer Road. The court approved the item without further discussion.
The court also considered an Interlocal Agreement between Hockley County and Lamb County for the trial State v. Jeremy Atchison in the 286th Judicial District Court of Hockley County to be hear in Lamb County by Judge Pat Phelan. The court approved the agreement with more information regarding to the trial to follow at a later time.
Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldrige also provided a construction update regarding the demolition of buildings happening adjacent from the Hockley County Annex. While the parking lot will be used for parking for employees allowing citizens to utilize closer parking around the annex, the parking lot will also allow community members to use the space to park when events are held in the downtown.
Baldrige explained the project was thought to benefit the county as a whole while utilizing space that most likely wouldn’t be utilized as the buildings were needing severe repairs to stay operable. The goal is to make the parking lot to benefit the area and increase the looks of the downtown area rather than being a slab of concrete that does not complement the area.
Completion of the parking lot is still unknown, but the county is hopeful it will be completed sooner rather than later. The abatement of the buildings was a required step before demolition which put a lengthy hold on the overall project.