The Potter County Commissioners’ Court moved through a mostly routine agenda Monday morning, approving several administrative items while also debating whether the county should form a committee to examine its public information practices under new state safety requirements.
The most closely watched discussion centered on a proposal from Precinct Two Commissioner Blair Schaffer to create a committee tasked with reviewing county communication procedures and determining whether Potter County is fully compliant with House Bill 33, known as the Uvalde Strong Act.
The legislation, passed after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, expanded school and emergency safety standards across Texas. Among its provisions are requirements tied to emergency communications and the use of trained public information officers, or PIOs, by certain governmental entities, including counties, cities, and school districts.
Schaffer said the committee would help the county evaluate its readiness and communication structure during emergency situations. He emphasized the importance of providing accurate and timely information to the public when incidents are unfolding.
The proposal, however, drew skepticism from some members of the court who questioned whether another committee or potentially another position was necessary at a time when county officials are focused on controlling spending.
Precinct Three Commissioner John Coffee said the county needs to remain mindful of its budget and avoid adding another employee if existing personnel can already fulfill those responsibilities. Coffee also pointed out that several county officials already serve in public information capacities, even if that duty is not their sole title.
Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner echoed some of those concerns while signaling openness to reviewing the issue further.
“We’ve talked about this numerous times since I’ve been the judge, and it’s never gone through,” Tanner said. “We’ve got people already that are considered the PIO. I mean, I am, the sheriff is, other people are. I wouldn’t disagree on the committee to just sit down and go through it. So if that’s what, I’d be okay with a committee on that.”
After discussion, Schaffer formally made the motion to create the committee. Precinct Four Commissioner Warren Coble Sr. seconded the motion.
Despite the second, the proposal ultimately failed, making it the only agenda item during Monday’s meeting that did not receive unanimous approval.
While the court declined to move forward with the committee, the conversation highlighted an ongoing debate among county leaders over how local governments should balance public communication responsibilities, emergency preparedness requirements, and budget concerns.
The commissioners also approved a new order regulating smoking and vaping at county facilities.
Under the measure, e-cigarette use will now be prohibited in and around Potter County buildings, while designated smoking and vaping areas will be established at several county properties.
County officials said signage will be installed to direct employees and visitors to approved smoking locations at the County Courts Building, commonly referred to as the old courthouse, as well as the District Courts Building and the Santa Fe Building.
The action formalizes smoking and vaping policies at county-owned properties and is intended to create clearer standards for both employees and members of the public visiting county offices.
Commissioners also approved the appointment of Nick Ward to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 board.
Tax increment reinvestment zones, often referred to as TIRZ boards, help oversee areas where property tax revenue growth is redirected into infrastructure improvements and economic development projects within designated districts. Ward’s appointment adds another local representative to the board overseeing those efforts.
Aside from the debate over the proposed communications committee, Monday’s meeting moved quickly, with the remainder of the agenda passing without opposition.
The discussion surrounding House Bill 33 nevertheless underscored how state-level policy changes continue to affect local governments years after the legislation’s passage. Counties across Texas have spent recent years reviewing emergency procedures, communication practices, and security standards in response to the sweeping reforms adopted after the Uvalde tragedy.
For Potter County, the issue may not be settled permanently despite Monday’s failed vote. Tanner’s comments suggested at least some willingness among county leaders to continue evaluating how public information responsibilities are handled and whether additional coordination may eventually be needed.
For now, though, commissioners chose to maintain the county’s current structure rather than create a formal review committee.
Monday’s meeting ultimately reflected a balancing act that local governments across Texas continue to face: meeting growing expectations for transparency and emergency preparedness while also navigating staffing limitations and budget pressures.
