DeWitt Commissioners provide jury compensation report

A report on jury compensation was given at the DeWitt County Commissioners Court meeting on May 27. It was reported that jurors will receive a debit card for their service, and if they don’t exercise their right to spend that money in a certain time frame, it is forfeited.

“It is forfeited after 90 days,” County Treasurer Desirae Poth-Garibay said. “Those funds come back to the General Fund for the county and that is a statute.”

Jury duty is considered a civic responsibility for Texas residents, and jurors are compensated for their time and service. The new system of the issuance of debit cards is designed to streamline payment and ensure quicker access to funds according to Poth-Garibay.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Commissioners appointed Ryan Varela and Brian Carson to the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission for a twoyear term beginning Sept. 1 of this year.

• Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between DeWitt County and Hall County for the purpose of performing functions of law enforcement through Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

• Commissioners approved budget amendment requests for Precinct Three.

• It was reported that the front doors of the DeWitt County Courthouse were repaired and re-painted.

• Commissioners' court meetings are typically on the second and fourth Monday of the month; however, this meeting occurred on a Tuesday due to Memorial Day.

A formal swearingin ceremony also occurred last Wednesday at the DeWitt County Courthouse for newly appointed Justice of the Peace for Precinct One Lindsay Renee Ruppert.

“Her nine and one half years of directly relatable experience as a justice court clerk for Lavaca County Justice of the Peace Precinct Four could not be ignored,” Fowler said in a press release, citing her qualifications as a key factor in electing Ruppert

“We must ensure exceptional public service in this office, and this appointment will also relieve Justice Blanca McBride from the burden of serving two courts.”

Ruppert will serve through Dec. 31, 2026.