An unprecedented sight: Kerr County holds a public hearing on the courthouse lawn
State law required the salary-setting hearing go forward on schedule — even with the courthouse closed
Friday brought something Kerr County officials say no one can recall happening before: a public hearing held outdoors, on the grounds of the flood-closed Kerr County Courthouse.
216th District Court Judge Pat Patillo held the hearing under a state law requiring that, once scheduled, this particular type of hearing cannot simply be canceled or postponed — even if the courthouse itself is inaccessible. With the courthouse still closed to the public following extensive damage from the July 16 flood, Patillo and his staff made the call to move the proceeding outside. Kerr County Sheriff’s Deputies opened the gates of the fencing that rings the perimeter of the courthouse grounds.
The courthouse grounds opened to the public around 11 a.m. Friday for anyone interested in attending or speaking. Turnout was sparse — a handful of court employees, sheriff’s deputies and members of the media. Patillo acknowledged as much, noting he understood exactly why those present had shown up, before moving forward with two public hearings to formally set the salaries of three women: two court reporters and Kerr County Auditor Tanya Shelton.
Why these hearings happen at all
The County Auditor’s position is intentionally structured for independence: Shelton is hired by the 216th District Judge, rather than the Kerr County Commissioners Court, specifically to maintain separation from the body whose finances she oversees — even though the bulk of her actual working time is spent meeting with and counseling that same Commissioners Court.
The two court reporters’ salaries are split across Kerr, Bandera and Gillespie counties, which together make up the two judicial districts served by Patillo and his fellow judge. Dandy Middleton serves as court reporter for Patillo’s 216th District Court, while Paula Beaver serves 198th District Court Judge Pat Maguire.
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