Court approves $4.19 million in vouchers; commissioners question $100 flat fee for show-cause hearings

Potter County Commissioners Court approved vouchers and wire transfers totaling $4,194,406.93 at its Sept. 28 meeting, voting to accept the payments as presented.

During the vouchers discussion, one commissioner questioned multiple entries related to show-cause hearings, noting a $100 flat fee for some hearings and expressing concern that brief hearings could mean a large per-minute payment. "If it's 5 minutes, it's a $100," the commissioner said, urging staff to consider whether fee structures or contracting practices could be streamlined to reduce costs where appropriate.

County staff explained the current use of retired attorneys for show-cause hearings and that one of the regular attorneys is retiring, requiring the county to secure replacements who are willing to do the work. The chair explained that the hearings can run long; staff said the show-cause schedules often begin at 1 p.m. and run into the evening, noting the administrative burden that led the county to hire outside counsel. The vouchers motion passed 5-0.

The court did not change billing or contract terms at the meeting but commissioners requested staff follow up on cost-efficiency for these hearings as part of next year's budgeting discussions.