“What the agreement does is allow the police department to use their narcotics officers to work out in the county with our guys,” Sheriff Stan Parker told commissioners during a recent meeting. “Everything that's done would be done through our office. We've seen a large spread of activity in the county and we don't have the resources available. The city is willing to (share) some of their operations in the county, and it's at no expense to us at all. However, it will definitely benefit us greatly.”

Parker said the agreement, as he understands it, will allow narcotics officers with the BSPD to work through the Sheriff's Office when their investigations lead outside the city limits.

“Everything will be under our direction. It's not a situation where we open the door and they (the narcotics officers) go do what they want,” said Parker. “Everything will come through our office. Our investigators will be working with them on these cases. That's my understanding of the agreement. We haven't actually seen it yet, but Josh (Hamby, county attorney) has been working with the city attorney on it. Until they approve it, we simply don't have it to present to the commissioners court.”

Parker said the agreement would streamline the investigation process, something that would benefit everyone in Howard County.

“It's a situation where the chief (of police, Lonnie Smith) has sat down and discussed the problems,” said Parker. “A lot of the things the city is working on drifts out into the county, and without some type of agreement to go out and pursue that, it makes it very difficult. It's something that has expanded, and the city realizes a lot of their investigations lead out into the county, and we're more than happy to allow them to do that because it benefits everyone.”

According to County Judge Mark Barr, the agreement — which was discussed in January by the court but couldn't be approved because the contract wasn't finalized — has been reviewed by County Attorney Josh Hamby and is ready for approval.

Also during Monday's meeting, County Auditor Jackie Olson will present the court with invoices, purchase requests and amendments to the budget for the new county jail currently under construction. Olson is also expected to discuss office supplies and approval to purchase computers and printers for the new jail facility.

Don H. Stephens, CPA, is also expected to present the annual financial report for the county, while County Treasurer Teresa Thomas will go over personnel considerations and the payroll reports with commissioners.

Thomas is also expected to discuss with commissioners Sheriff Stan Parker's recent request to make two of the part-time dispatcher positions full-time, according to Barr.

County Road and Bridge Administrator Eddy Jameson will report on pipeline crossings and road maintenance, as well as supplies for his department, including aggregate and asphalt.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Jimmie Long is also on the agenda and is expected to discuss road repairs in his precinct.

County Clerk Donna Wright will present commissioners with several items for consideration, including approval of official bonds for elected officials, continuing education certificates for both her office and the District Clerk's office, and notice of a Merger involving Basin Pipeline.

The meeting will get under way at 10 a.m. in the commissioners courtroom, located on the second floor of the County Courthouse.

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