Editor’s note: This opinion piece was submitted to The Permian Press for publication. County Judge Terry Johnson is one of five members of the Midland County Commissioners’ Court. Following our reporting on the court’s Feb. 3 meeting, The Permian Press invited commissioners on both sides of the vote to submit opinion pieces addressing the same question:

How should the court define when it is appropriate to bypass the normal budget process for decisions that impact the budget, and how did the deputy constable decision align with that standard? Read Commissioner Villela’s response.

Midland County residents deserve a government that is disciplined, transparent, and fair in how taxpayer dollars are spent. That is why I feel it is important to speak openly about recent agenda items introduced by Commissioners Dianne Anderson and Steven Villela seeking approval of new deputy constable positions within their respective precinct offices, not during the normal budget cycle, but in the middle of the current budget year.

These proposals represent a significant mid-year financial impact, potentially approaching $500,000, at a time when Midland County must remain consistent in its financial planning and accountable to the public.

Historically, staffing expansions of this magnitude have been evaluated through the regular annual budget process, not implemented unexpectedly mid-year without proper review. Major expenditures should be weighed alongside other county priorities, not introduced in isolation after budgets have already been adopted.

What makes this situation more troubling is the inconsistency. The very commissioners advancing these mid-year requests have previously insisted that other departments defer large monetary changes until the next budget cycle. Midland County cannot operate under two different standards depending on the department or precinct involved. Rules must apply fairly and uniformly to everyone.

Another serious concern is the unintended consequence these positions may have on other critical public safety efforts. The Sheriff’s Department is actively working to recruit and retain qualified law enforcement professionals. Approving these positions now could pull two certified officers away from the Sheriff’s Office at a time when staffing remains a challenge.

Sheriff David Criner formally requested that the Commissioners Court not allocate funding in a way that would weaken hiring efforts within the Sheriff’s Department. Other county departments echoed similar concerns, urging that these positions be delayed until the October budget process, where they can be reviewed appropriately alongside all other staffing needs.

Any request involving substantial taxpayer funding must come with proper justification, detailed projections, and complete documentation. In this case, both requests were presented without the required backup materials necessary for responsible evaluation.

Midland County residents deserve transparency and due diligence, especially when hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake. Public trust is the foundation of good government. That is why I have raised serious concern about a potential conflict of interest surrounding these agenda items.

Commissioner Charles Hall should recuse himself from deliberations and voting when these decisions directly affect his daughter, Precinct 4 Constable Jamie Hall who serves as one of the constables positioned to benefit financially. Conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, must be taken seriously if we are to maintain credibility with the taxpayers we serve.

Midland County must ensure fairness and consistency in how resources are allocated across precincts. Two constables were not granted deputies, while two others were awarded positions not based on demonstrated workload or performance metrics.

During court discussion, Commissioner Dianne Anderson proposed a deputy for Precinct 4 Constable, citing the need for backup because the constable is female. While officer safety is always important, staffing decisions must remain grounded in objective operational needs, not subjective reasoning or inconsistent standards.

I also find it necessary to question why Commissioner Steven Villela’s precinct now supports adding a deputy after voting only months ago to remove deputy support from another precinct. These inconsistencies raise legitimate concerns about equality and decision-making.

Midland County residents deserve fiscal responsibility, accountability, and fairness. Staffing expansions of this size must be evaluated through the proper budget process, supported by documentation, and free from conflicts of interest.

Taxpayer dollars must be spent transparently, priorities must be balanced responsibly, and decisions must be made in the best interest of all Midland County citizens, not a select few. You deserve clear, honest answers about how your money is spent. I am committed to fiscal responsibility and open decision making because the people of Midland County deserve nothing less.