Lubbock County Commissioners on Monday approved, by a 3-1 vote with one abstention, a nonbinding resolution backing a request from the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office for a Texas Rangers probe into continued payroll payments to an appointed commissioner after a judge temporarily reinstated the previous officeholder.
What commissioners approved
The resolution does not bind the county legally but signals the commission's support for a third-party investigation into payments made to Mark Meurer following Senior District Judge Patrick Pirtle's December order that temporarily reinstated Precinct 2 Commissioner Jason Corley.
- Vote: 3 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention.
- Subject: Continued payroll payments to Mark Meurer after Pirtle's injunction reinstated Jason Corley.
- Requested investigator: Texas Rangers, at the request of the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office.
The matter stems from Parrish's December appointment of Meurer after County Judge Curtis Parrish concluded Corley had triggered an automatic resignation provision by sending messages indicating he was running for U.S. Congress. Corley sued to challenge his removal, and Pirtle temporarily restored him as commissioner while the case proceeds in the 237th District Court.
Appeal, statements and next steps
After Pirtle's ruling, Meurer appealed to the Seventh Court of Appeals of Texas. An oral-arguments hearing had been set for Oct. 13, though Meurer issued a statement saying he planned to withdraw his appeal, which would return the dispute to the trial court.
Meurer said he reached out to Parrish with concerns that he was still receiving a salary from the county as a commissioner. He said Parrish reportedly told him to keep the money, which Meurer said he set aside and plans to return it to the county.
It was not immediately clear whether Potter County Attorney Scott Brumley, representing the state as plaintiff in the case, will dismiss the challenge once the case returns to trial court status.
Local officials respond
During the commission meeting, County officials questioned the necessity of the resolution. One official who spoke described the measure as unnecessary and said her office was already examining the situation.
Stanek stood before the commissioners and told them the non-binding resolution was unnecessary and unpersuasive. She said her office has already been looking into the matter and couldn't comment on the pending
The meeting record shows commissioners weighed the political and legal sensitivities of endorsing an outside probe into county payroll practices, balancing public concern with ongoing litigation.
Timing and local impact
Corley’s current term is scheduled to end Dec. 31. Kevin Pounds, who is running uncontested in the November general election, is expected to begin serving as Precinct 2 commissioner in January. The payroll question — who legally received commissions and salaries during the pendency of court orders and appeals — has implications for county payroll accounting and for taxpayer confidence in local government operations.
| Item | Current status |
|---|---|
| Commission resolution | Approved 3-1, one abstention (nonbinding) |
| Third-party investigator | Requested: Texas Rangers (via DA's office) |
| Legal posture | Temporary injunction reinstated Corley; Meurer appealed but says he will withdraw appeal |
As the case returns to trial court, residents and county officials will be watching how the district attorney’s request and any Texas Rangers inquiry proceed, and whether the county will seek reimbursement for any disputed payments. The issue also leaves open questions about administrative procedures for appointments and payroll that county leadership may address to avoid similar disputes in the future.
