The Lamb County Commissioners Court hosted its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, at the Lamb County Courthouse in Littlefield.
Present members included Lamb County Judge James DeLoach, Commissioner Precinct No. 1 Cory DeBerry, Commissioner Precinct No. 2 Kent Lewis, Commissioner Precinct No. 3 Danny Short and County Clerk Rene Trevino. Commissioner Precinct No. 4 Lee Logan was absent.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Mitch Edwards stood before the commissioners and delivered a speech, taking a firm stance against data centers.
“These projects require extraordinary amounts of water, energy and land,” Edwards professed. “One private property owner may sell their land for exceptional prices while the remaining citizens of the county deal with the energy and water demands of that project.”
Moreover, Edwards urged commissioners to remain transparent about any potentially proposed data center plans.
“ What I’m asking is simple: please be transparent with the citizens of the county,” Edwards said. “Please be present with any proposals to the county before a decision is made; please endeavor to educate the population regarding the risks and benefits to these projects; please reconsider any tax breaks or abatements for these projects until more is known.”
As a husband and father of four, Edwards said he hopes for his children to continue to enjoy the land for generations to come.
“Texas has always protected and defended property rights. I believe wholeheartedly that is a righteous cause and fundamental to the protection of every citizen’s liberty,” Edwards said. “That being said, when one man’s liberty infringes on the life of another, common ground must be sought.”
Concluding his speech, Edwards called on the commissioners to fulfill their duties as watchmen on behalf of Lamb County.
No other public comments succeeded Edwards’ speech.
During the consent agenda portion of the meeting, commissioners approved budget adjustments for out-of-county housing, prisoner supplies and medical expenses for the jail. Additionally, contingency funds were used for the Olton Community Center.
The court additionally approved all bills: $344,031.73; payroll ending on July 10, $176,358.63; and payroll for Lamb Healthcare Center ending on July 11, $266,596.29.
Commissioner Kent Lewis motioned to pass the consent agenda items, seconded by Commissioner Cory DeBerry. The motion carried unanimously.
Next, commissioners dis- cussed an inmate housing contract in Childress County. As previously discussed at the July 13 meeting, inmate housing contracts in various counties were proposed to accommodate rising inmate numbers within Lamb County.
Commissioner DeBerry motioned to pass the contract, seconded by Commissioner Danny Short. The motion carried unanimously.
With no other items to discuss, commissioners adjourned at 9:32 a.m.