From our January 4, 2001, edition.

County sets budget for Constable's office 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Commissioners approved a budget for Constable Jimmy Swinney’s office last week.

The budget, authorized during a called session of the court last Thursday, totals $5,259.41 and includes a salary of $3,170.

Swinney had submitted a budget last month that totaled $35,493.98.

“The state constitution requires us to set him a reasonable salary,” County Judge Jack Hall said.

Hall said the county had based Swinney’s budget on figures from the office of the Justice of the Peace in Precincts 1&2 and on statements from Sheriff-elect Butch Blackburn.

“We looked at the number of warrants and citations to be served out of Judge [Jimmy] Johnson’s office and the six to 12 jury trials per year that Judge Johnson holds,” Hall said. “We also based it on a statement by Sheriff-elect Blackburn that Swinney’s services would not be needed to police Precincts 1&2.

“We feel like we have provided a reasonable salary based on the services he is going to provide.”

Attempts to contact Swinney by telephone Tuesday morning were unsuccessful; but according to a report in the Amarillo Daily News last week, Swinney said a reasonable salary would be the same as the one given to Constable Mike Wallendorff in Precincts 3&4, which is $17,146.95.

Swinney filed as a write-in candidate for Constable in Precincts 1&2 in the General Election – an office vacant for about 30 years. He received 52 votes.

In other developments, Judge Hall did not administer the oath of office to Swinney during the regular swearing-in ceremony last Friday.

Hall had previously sent a letter to Swinney on December 22, saying he would not perform the service for the constable-elect in Precincts 1&2.

“That would go against my principals to do that,” Hall said.

Justice of the Peace Jimmy Johnson performed that duty on Friday.