Howard County commissioners are expected to consider joining an 85-county public defender task force Monday morning, in an effort to keep costs down on capital murder cases.

According to Jack Stoffregen, an attorney with the West Texas Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases task force, the goal of the organization is for counties to pool their resources to help pay for the rising costs of providing defense counsel for death penalty cases.

“The cost of capital cases to counties is enormous,” he said, estimating that Howard County could end up spending anywhere between $80,000 and $200,000 per death penalty trial. He said the cost to Howard County taxpayers under the task force would be slightly more than $53,000 over a four-year period.

“It would be like any other kind of insurance,” Howard County Judge Mark Barr said. “It would be good if you needed it and a normal expense when you didn't.”

The timing is coincidental, however, as Howard County District Attorney Hardy Wilkerson is faced with a decision whether to re-seek the death penalty for the county's only death row inmate, whose sentence was recently overturned by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Billy Ray Nelson, sentenced to death for the February 1991 fatal stabbing of Charla Wheat, had his sentence overturned in December 2006. At that time, the court ordered a new punishment phase trial for Nelson, who has been on death row for almost 16 years.

The circuit court decision pertains only to retrying Nelson on punishment and has no bearing on his established guilt, officials said.

Howard County has suffered through lean financial times the past several years, leading to the elimination of several county positions during last year's budget process.

Commissioners have until Aug. 15 to decide whether to join the task force.

Also during Monday's meeting — which will get under way at 10 a.m. in the commissioner's courtroom, located on the second floor of the county courthouse — commissioners will consider a contract with Midland College for participation in its breath alcohol program, discuss possible proposals for county insurance and hold a budget work session. They will also consider personnel matters, payroll reports and plans and provisions for the 2009 Texas County and District Retirement System.

Commissioners are also expected to confer with Elections Administrator Saundra Bloom concerning polling places and election judges for the November presidential election and the possible sale of a tract of land to the city of Coahoma.

Commissioner Gary Simer has also requested time during the meeting be dedicated to discussion — and possible action — on a sales tax outside the city limits. More information on this agenda item was not available at press time.

The court is expected to recess following these items and reconvene Tuesday at 10 a.m. to consult with architect Jeff Heffelfinger concerning ongoing efforts to build a new jail facility.

The discussion is expected to concentrate on jail computer software and expenses pertaining to the new $11.57 million 112-bed law enforcement center, which will be located in Big Spring's west side, near the McMahon Wrinkle Airpark.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it