The Hempstead County Quorum Court met Thursday for their regular monthly meeting.

The JP’s approved the 2019 audit report.  There were no major findings in the audit.

The JP’s had discussed a raise for the County Judge’s administrative assistant;  however, the motion was withdrawn after it was noted the money had already been appropriated for the raise.

Sheriff James Singleton told the JP’s the Sheriff’s office would be putting up a 2012 Dodge 4 x 4 transport van for sale.  Sheriff Singleton also noted a recently purchased Ford transport van was at the Ford dealer getting repaired after the sliding door fell off its track.

 Sheriff Singleton noted the county has been losing too many employees to agencies with better pay.  He noted currently, deputies start at $32,000 if they are certified and $31,000 if they aren’t.  That compares to starting pay of $39,000  for the city.  Sheriff Singleton commented it costs a lot to educate and train deputies and then they leave for higher salaries.  Discussion ensued on ways to come up with funding for increasing salaries for deputies.  No action was taken and JP Jessie Henry suggested everyone pray for a solution.

Sheriff Singleton noted his department has applied for a $100,000 ARCEP grant.  This would help combat substance abuse in Hempstead County.  The grant would be in conjunction with Banner Hope.  It was noted there is a desperate need for help in Hempstead County in rehabilitating residents who have been addicted to such drugs as Meth and Fentanyl.  Many of those arrested for such issues often end up back in jail with the same problems.

Prior to adjournment, JP David Clayton suggested the Quorum Court pray for each other, for the court as a whole as well as the Sheriff’s Department.  The meeting then adjourned.