Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson is advising that the proposed reduction of Associate Judges in the FY2026 budget would be illegal, implying that the commissioners court has no authority to eliminate the associate judge position.
Responding to County Budget Director Pamela Gubbels’ request, the county attorney opined that “An action or motion to reduce the number of associate judges, made by a member of the commissioner’s court, would be made without statutory authority under Section 54A of the Texas Government Code and could further violate Section 151.004 of the Texas Local Government Code if such actions are in an attempt to influence the appointment of any person to an employee position authorized by the court.”
“Based on this guidance, I have no option but to maintain all associate judges at their current levels as reflected in the FY2025 budget. As a result, approximately $963,950 has been added to the FY2026 budget for the judges as well as bailiffs and clerks required for the two additional district courts, (proposed to be created),” Gubbels said in a memo the commissioners…