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Commissioners sending a message on Smith County Jail

Judging from statements in this KLTV-Tyler story, you can already count 3 of 5 votes on the Smith County Commissioners Court who are sold on bypassing voters to expand the county jail. "Commissioners say after four defeats, the jail's need for growth is so important, they are considering certificates of obligation," reported the TV station.We already knew Smith County Judge Joel Baker is for building a jail by hook or by crook, and it was Commissioner Jeff Warr who proposed using "certificates of obligation" instead of voter approved debt. KLTV quotes a third commissioner agreeing up front that voters need only be informed, but their permission need not be requested: "'Really and truly, if it came down to issuing CO's, I would vote with Co's in a minute, but I would still make sure the public knew what was going on,' said Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on July 22, 2010 (boomark / email).