Commissioners Approve Retention of Legal Counsel

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – The Houston Commissioners Court approved a motion to consult with legal counsel on Monday, Feb. 6 following an executive session held during a special, called meeting.

The court was called to order at 11 a.m. and Houston County Judge Jim Lovell informed those in attendance the court would retire into executive session.

The meeting’s agenda stated the purpose of the executive session was “… to consult with (an) attorney pertaining to pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, claims or other matters in which Houston County and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office may become a party.”

During the closed door session, Houston County Sheriff Darrell Bobbitt, Chief Deputy Gary “G.P.” Shearer, Jail Administrator Jerry Baker along with Houston County Auditor Melissa Mosley were requested to remain.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the open court session was reconvened.

The judge asked if a motion was forthcoming and Precinct Two Commissioner Willie Kitchen moved to authorize the county auditor to “… contact legal representatives with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) to represent us in the pending litigation.”

The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

After the adjournment, Lovell was asked if he could shed some light on what – specifically – the litigation concerned.

“We had an executive session and I can’t talk about anything we discussed in there. We came back and approved for our auditor to contact the TAC for legal counsel. This is ongoing and that is all I can say,” he said.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].