Resident urges county to invest in 287 weigh station to improve road safety and revenue
Summary
During public comment a resident urged Wichita County to invest in a proposed Department of Public Safety (DPS) weigh station on U.S. 287 between Amarillo and Decatur, arguing that a better facility would increase enforcement and public safety and produce revenue for county services.
A Wichita County resident told commissioners on Tuesday that the county should invest in the planned DPS weigh station on U.S. 287, arguing a higher‑quality facility would encourage more regular use by troopers and improve road safety. The comment came during the public comment period and no formal action was taken.
The resident — identified at the meeting as Jackie — said DPS may use a basic facility only intermittently and that a better fit would encourage steady enforcement. "If we don't invest in that weigh station, DPS might not use it," Jackie said. She added that in neighboring Clay County a basic setup exists that is not used often. "If we put out just a few [dollars] — a building, very basic use of that — then they're not going to hire citizens to work there," she said, urging the court to "invest that money."
Jackie framed the site as a strategic location between Amarillo and Decatur on U.S. 287, where traffic volumes can be high. "There's a lot of traffic that gets onto 287 between those two places going both directions," she said, adding the station could help remove unsafe vehicles from the road. The commenter also argued that penalties assessed through enforcement return money to the county coffers and can help reduce taxpayer burden.
The comment was received by the court but did not prompt a formal motion; the presiding officer closed public comments after other speakers and moved to the consent agenda. Commissioners did not take action on the weigh station at this meeting.
