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Can the sheriff's office accept software without court approval?
By Brian_M_Cuaron in Eye On Government
October 13, 2011

As announced by Victoria County Judge Don Pozzi yesterday, the sheriff's office has decided to go forward with Southern Software.

The company's software would replace Tyler Technologies' Odyssey software when it comes to installing an arrested person's and inmate's information, as well as other things.

If you remember, there was a back-and-forth between Judge Don Pozzi and Deputy Chief Terry Simons, after Simons told the commissioners court that Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor intended to move forward with the software acquisition.

Here is an excerpt from an article written about the incident:

Sheriff's proposed software bugs others in county

Pozzi indicated that wouldn't make sense if the court didn't approve the software.

"In discussion with the sheriff yesterday, it's his intention to move forward with Southern Software," Simons said.

Pozzi asked Simons if that meant O'Connor would move forward with the software application regardless of what the court said. Simons said no, and that he was quoting O'Connor.

Pozzi told Simons he assumed the court would need to approve funding.

But after the court's meeting on Thursday, Simons said Sheriff O'Connor had the authority to use the new software because it didn't require funding from the court. However, the court would have to authorize any funding for maintenance fees in later years.

Sheriff O'Connor proposed that the court put one of its members, Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Janak, on a sheriff's office panel that would recommend whether to go forward with Southern Software. I'm working on updating this story, including what happened regarding the panel.

But my question to you is this: Can the sheriff's office accept software without court approval?

Please post your comments or queries below. One person left an interesting comment that I'm looking into.

Comments


  • Observer Observer Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    If there are no Victoria County expenditures involved, I do not see what the fuss is all about. tinstar is right on target.

    October 14, 2011 at 4:23 p.m.

  • tinstar tinstar Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    According to state law, he may. The only true supervision commissioners court have over any elected official is budget.

    October 13, 2011 at 1:21 p.m.