Howard County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Howard County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lawsuit Against County Officials
A confusingly drafted lawsuit names county officials, the City of Big Spring, CAD, and others; the court approved spending taxpayer money on outside lawyers to respond.
National Weather Service Communications Equipment on South Mountain Tower
The National Weather Service wants to mount severe weather broadcasting gear on the county's South Mountain tower. Commissioners are worried about outside federal technicians walking inside the county's secure communications building where millions of dollars in emergency equipment are housed, so they are exploring building a separate shed outside the fence.
Emergency Dispatch Phone System Upgrade
The county approved a new phone service plan for dispatch with RCN Technologies to resolve ongoing communication failures between city and county lines. The cost will be shared on a 60-40 split with the city.
County-Wide Burn Ban
The county instituted a 90-day burn ban due to high KBDI fire index numbers to help prevent wildfires.
Public Safety Enforcement
Howard County police just finished a two-day crime sweep that resulted in 40 arrests. You’ll likely notice a heavier police presence around town for the next little while as they keep the pressure on.
School Resource Officer Safety MOUs
The county updated agreements between the Sheriff's Office and local school districts to keep armed officers in schools and clarify legal search rules. These updates help protect students while making sure officers follow standard national guidelines.
Law Enforcement Center Construction
The county's new law enforcement center is nearing completion, with contractors expected to finish by the end of February. Commissioners approved minor contingency fund adjustments to handle unexpected structural items like a wind brace.
Sheriff's Office Mental Health Program Funding
The county accepted a $75,000 donation from the Dora Roberts Foundation to support mental health officers and inmate services.
Emergency Declaration
Big Spring’s mayor just declared a local disaster after that nasty storm hit, which is basically the green light needed to get state and federal cash for repairs. Expect some updates soon on how this affects your daily city services and the cleanup timeline.