[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6529094,"mediaKeyId","3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81","parentId",3842909,"title","Constable for Precinct 4 seeks deputy to improve officer safety and manage rising eviction and service workload","audioSeconds",3097,"startMs",14356000,"endMs",17453000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81&start=14356&end=17453","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81/thumbnail_14356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529094/Lubbock-County/Texas/Constable-for-Precinct-4-seeks-deputy-to-improve-officer-safety-and-manage-rising-eviction-and-service-workload","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529094-2f748f8c14b2cf332e1ee0a8f884858a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431343&Signature=NIGApoyrb4ImZzFA3fVC-2zPN55uPfpODgWpLf78GNymF-qTd5q8n-~E-TfJTe~vEKsSYI-PlWPTBV5v5oCSqs3MOHcftiXSK3jHHI6UNyPAIGSIpWt0c6bVAdutuD178THRxG4VV5-TVHUrKxFFUA14xn1~kTOm7izvHuAEaD5KlupOLcdn0e6D2CYiTxBNHcOEJnIzUszTxb5pqyzwKz-b0jpXbx3oiuhgsgHI9waKDhWsGF-vAnIo~mC7wgNbUuTJjLb50fTXAcS8Swd3Aw7Ag5cklE~XePpohh2-Hn9n2F2k0OSvCu6jm9IPmn2TOp5SwsQbU6WD9qaF6e7mpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lubbock","date","2025-06-16T00:00:00Z","article","Joe Penson, constable for Precinct 4, asked the Commissioners Court to approve funding for one deputy constable to provide backup when serving eviction writs and performing court-related duties.

Penson told the court that over recent months his office has seen a spike of violent and drug-related incidents in north-Lubbock apartment complexes, including a large narcotics arrest that recovered multiple firearms and a string of armed robberies. He described several service calls that turned hazardous and recounted an on-duty incident in which an occupant pulled a handgun while the constable was serving a writ.

\"There's nothing saying we won't walk up to an eviction to serve one, and they're thinking it's a warrant,\" Penson said, describing circumstances that can quickly escalate.

Penson said his office\u0000is running a growing number of writs and civil papers; he provided weekly papers and fee totals and said fee income is rising into the tens of thousands of dollars, though he noted county accounting and cash reconciliation are handled by the county systems.

Request details and logistics
Penson requested one full-time deputy, vehicle equipment (a radio and a unit radio), a portable radio and a taser and uniforms. Personnel committee and sheriff\u0000staff indicated a used vehicle might be available through the sheriff's fleet, which would reduce the county capital outlay requirement.

On workspace, the constable said a small desk and workstation exist in his current office and that space could be adapted for a second deputy; he said, longer term, the office would prefer space near prosecutors and court staff but would make do with immediate accommodations.

Ending: Commissioners asked procedural and budget questions. The court did not vote; staff were directed to include the request in the countywide budget exercises and return cost figures for personnel and equipment to be considered with other requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lubbock - Commissioners' Court Work Session - Jun 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Constable Joe Penson told commissioners he needs an additional deputy to provide backup for writs, evictions and growing violent or drug-related calls in north-county apartment complexes; he said job volume and safety risks have increased in recent months.","taxTitle","Lubbock County, Texas","taxId",2711,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529101,"Facilities director outlines multi-year capital plan; parking garage and 09/16 life-safety work top list",4386,6068000,10454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81&start=6068&end=10454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81/thumbnail_6068000.jpg","/articles/6529101/Lubbock-County/Texas/Facilities-director-outlines-multi-year-capital-plan-parking-garage-and-0916-life-safety-work-top-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529101-ab4a88462c779487b80c5a10b24530b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431343&Signature=FMmqDKZTF0~S6~NvkJr1OML5RIN48LObcuMFPUYsUcy1doD3pXV~~69SMfijWIekbqUkotsVtiCvTMMq0DjKU6VnY5P3bXDnKF7Vozb2wcb19SUhdRl9NB8VoMg6OfMCjF16GJ1nn0yJLTvPgPFTV6DQ9DjjXQEax7r7h31erG-HbxtQCfBTxLpE6r8qpbuv8MgZOprnhjvk8HMGd7m50uztHFGz0GNWSt5yBVREw~DsL1~2nYm1X~c~bD5lskUW3jwE6Ab588ujnJvHRUWwrtRnPD6nf1A~uH5osCpsEY9dWbR1iN9jr4gG~XN5YIvam73W1k3tkRmxcTWkzw8Vlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Natalie, the county facilities director, told the Commissioners Court the county faces a backlog of deferred maintenance across dozens of buildings and presented a prioritized, multi-year capital plan that would phase large projects rather than attempting a single-year large bond.

Lede: Natalie said the county's facility condition assessment (completed in 2022) shows several high-priority sites that need urgent attention, including the downtown annex parking garage, portions of the 09/16 courthouse campus and the Adult Probation Office (APO). The facilities office requested about $15 million in project work the office could oversee during the coming fiscal year but presented alternatives and smaller, phased packages.

Nut graf: The 2022 facility condition assessment uses an FCI (facility condition index). Several buildings fall into ranges that suggest either major renovation or replacement. The annex parking garage and sheriff's garage scored worst; the report shows the annex garage needs work that could cost into the millions and that replacement costs exceed repair costs at high FCI values. Facilities proposed a phased approach focused first on life-safety and roof and water-intrusion repairs.

Key priorities and estimates
- Parking garage: The director estimated an early planning figure of roughly $8 million for a replacement-sized project (250 parking spots) and said design funds should be added to the FY26 budget so the court can compare cost and location alternatives. She warned that underground utilities and code-required exiting for a new garage could change absolute cost once engineers design the structure. She also noted the possibility of alternate sites but stressed design work is needed to make an apples-to-apples comparison.

- 09/16 courthouse life-safety and facade work: Facilities recommended phased work on the courthouse, starting with life-safety upgrades, air-handling and roof repairs, and addressing window/curtain-wall water intrusion. The facilities condition index projects the courthouse's condition would materially worsen without recurring capital maintenance.

- Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) and TAGG site: Natalie gave a construction update on the new MEO facility and the Technical/Administration/Generation Group (TAGG) building. She reported MEO remains within the construction budget and that work should be substantially complete this winter; TAGG and MEO both add new square footage that increases maintenance and utility needs beginning in FY26.

- Adult Probation Office (APO): APO's building has legacy systems, single-pane steel windows and asbestos-containing caulk; facilities presented a long list of deferred repairs that would be costly and complex because abatement is required before many renovations can proceed. Facilities estimated demolition and rebuild figures as part of long-term planning and recommended considering leased office space or using other county properties during phased replacement planning.

Capital and operating impacts
Natalie asked the court to consider phased funding rather than trying to pay for all needs at once. She identified $15 million as a manageable FY26 program the facilities staff could oversee, with professional services budgeted separately for design. She also noted material and construction costs have risen substantially since the 2022 assessment and asked the court to treat cost projections as preliminary and to authorize design work so the county can get definitive bids.

Ending: The court did not adopt final funding decisions. Commissioners asked facilities to return with clearer cost and design options and to work with the county's budget staff to show last year's funded capital alongside the current requests.

","Facilities director Natalie presented a multi-year capital and maintenance plan that prioritizes a deteriorating downtown parking structure, life-safety upgrades at the 09/16 courthouse and the medical examiner's new building, and asked the court to consider phased funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529105,"Lubbock County sheriff asks court to fund step-pay fixes, patrol and jail hospital staff amid rising overtime",4975,273000,5248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81&start=273&end=5248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842909-0fcafbf619bb825bd8b4f6676eec8b81/thumbnail_273000.jpg","/articles/6529105/Lubbock-County/Texas/Lubbock-County-sheriff-asks-court-to-fund-step-pay-fixes-patrol-and-jail-hospital-staff-amid-rising-overtime","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529105-a46ec76197f7af9ad41cefe928250564/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431343&Signature=ghaHGKyRwikepuPJ5aAz5kPvneGr5g0ljZk7~Txam5-AdaMiya1AdqMdMch9UihMMk9EUQ3yX-QMTzE8O~qydOUidLpWBHj-yCZRtBQIssDSXChU4zfB1e-0Mxs9J6H3m2tMfGGZ9PF-YEOk9hzLzEfOHPpVwjpDyeeTaB4SaYFvCcglsjvkOM4B2kLAExiZwyWUeGLjZH-Yb1npe5JJ5HcArnBfqAnOkTHtSP1my-MqxJ3dYWgpeTT2oeqz3~M2GIxp~bloyYY0iwizLC34vjPERl8iQSLUIagDxr6FBO5GfO3wOa1vOHi~kbLaB11ehd6ZE90sImtCCJogDgfywg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lubbock County\u0000Sheriff\u0000presented the department\u0000\u0000budget request and asked the Commissioners Court to approve a two-year correction to the department\u0000step-pay chart and to fund new deputies and detention staff to address rising overtime and changing workload.

The sheriff told the court the office has moved from chronic vacancies to near full staffing and that the largest budget pressure is pay structure \u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000and personnel. \"We have attained full staffing,\" the sheriff said, \"barring just the day-to-day changes.\" He urged the court to act quickly on vehicle and equipment requests to avoid high costs and limited availability later in the summer.

Nut graf: The sheriff\u0000asked the court to approve a roughly $400,000 correction to wage steps (spread across two years), to remove overlapping start steps that discourage promotion, and to fund four new patrol positions, two compliance deputies for gaming/entertainment-business inspections and a multi-year plan to add detention staff for hospital duty. He warned that detention overtime is already large and that medical transports and an aging jail population are increasing costs and operational strain.

Step-pay, promotions and pay compression
Sheriff office leaders described a step-pay chart implemented in 2013 that has compressed pay at the top of the scale and distressed promotions from staff sergeant to lieutenant. The department proposed eliminating certain probationary steps for junior ranks (PSO 4 and PSO 5) at a cost the sheriff said is about $25,000, and adjusting lieutenant pay so a promoted staff sergeant would not take a pay cut. The sheriff\u0000and his chiefs presented two figures for correcting the compression: roughly $245,000 to address lieutenant-level compression and about $400,000 total across the two-year fix if the court approves the full package.

\"For a step 5 staff sergeant to promote, they're actually taking a $1,500 approximately pay cut,\" Chief Corbin told the court while explaining why the adjustment is needed to keep people from declining promotion.

Detention overtime, hospital duty and health-care costs
Sheriff office and detention leaders told the court hospital escorts and medical transports are a major overtime driver. Chief Reed said the jail needs between 16 and 20 officers dedicated to hospital duty to reduce mandatory call-ins and overtime; the department is requesting four positions per year over four years to reach 16 total. Reed said the jail paid roughly 32,000 overtime-equivalent hours for hospital coverage during a prior period and that detention overtime could exceed $2 million this fiscal year.

\"We're always going to have some overtime, but I'd rather pay someone straight time than time-and-a-half,\" Reed said, explaining the hospital-duty request.

Sheriff personnel and proposed patrol/compliance positions
Sheriff leaders requested four additional patrol deputies, to shift capacity toward proactive patrol during evening hours when two-officer responses (domestics, shots fired, violent calls) have risen 38% from 2020 to 2024. The request also includes two full-time compliance deputies focused on game rooms, adult-entertainment and other regulated businesses in unincorporated county areas. Sheriff staff said earlier licensing and permitting work moved to another office but inspections remain a patrol responsibility; two full-time inspectors would allow consistent weekly inspections of roughly 36 existing unincorporated establishments.

The sheriff outlined a separate reclassification: converting an investigator position to staff sergeant in CID to provide an extra first-line supervisor, a change the sheriff\u0000said would cost roughly $3,200 including benefits.

Budget tradeoffs and next steps
Sheriff leaders acknowledged that some of these fixes and additions are phased: the step-pay adjustment would be done over two years to spread cost; the detention hospital staffing is proposed as four positions per year across five years to reach full staffing. The court pressed for dollar figures and phasing. The sheriff said vehicle and equipment timing matter: buying late in summer reduces choices and raises costs.

Ending: The sheriff's presentation did not conclude with a formal vote; commissioners asked staff to include the sheriff's requests in the ongoing budget worksheets and to return with cost scenarios for the court to compare alongside other departmental requests.","Sheriff\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000requests 2-year adjustment to long-running step-pay chart and new deputies and detention officers to reduce large overtime costs and address officer safety, jail medical transports and compliance inspections for regulated businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Constable for Precinct 4 seeks deputy to improve officer safety and manage rising eviction and service workload

Facilities director outlines multi-year capital plan; parking garage and 09/16 life-safety work top list

Lubbock County sheriff asks court to fund step-pay fixes, patrol and jail hospital staff amid rising overtime