The Potter County Commissioners Court grappled Monday with a series of pressing challenges — ranging from two justices of the peace defying a county-awarded body-removal contract to soaring inmate healthcare costs and persistent jail overcrowding. Throughout the meeting, Commissioner John Coffee and County Judge Nancy Tanner stressed the importance of following established procedures, controlling costs, and serving the public interest.
Potter County Commissioner John Coffee holds up a document for the commissioners to discuss Monday in downtown Amarillo.
Defying a body-removal contract
At the heart of the day’s tension were Justices of the Peace Robert Taylor and Thomas Jones, who have refused to use Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Services, the firm chosen through a competitive bid to handle body removals. Instead, they continue calling on Shafer Mortuary Services, despite Shafer lacking a county-approved contract — making it impossible for officials to legally pay them.
“They’re choosing to ignore the process and do what they want,” Commissioner Coffee said. “We’ve followed a fair, transparent system for years. It’s just not right for elected officials to bypass that because of personal preferences.”
Judge Tanner echoed the frustration. “We’ve warned these judges repeatedly that Lighthouse is the approved vendor,” she said. “They’ve put Shafer in a tough spot — working without any guarantee of payment. We can’t fire elected officials, but we do expect them to follow the rules.”
Coffee acknowledged that he once considered making a motion to force the noncompliant judges to cover Shafer’s costs out of their own salaries. Although he decided against that move, he warned that if the judges remain defiant and refuse to use the contracted vendor, they could face legal action. In line with that stance, county officials plan to send formal notices to Shafer and both justices, clearly stating that Potter County will not pay for unauthorized removal services.
“Shafer deserves payment,” Coffee said. “If they won’t use the county-approved vendor, what choice do we have?”
Inmate healthcare costs and Turn Key background
In addition to the contract dispute, commissioners confronted soaring inmate healthcare expenses. Monthly pharmacy bills hover around $80,000, driven by non-formulary medications the county must cover entirely. They discussed seeking more favorable contracts or looking at other providers to stabilize costs.
A proposed long-term deal with Turn Key Health Clinics has drawn attention. Turn Key, which operates in several states, claims it can streamline operations and contain costs. Still, Coffee hinted at reports questioning the company’s record elsewhere, stressing the need for a contract that’s clear and sustainable given the county’s high healthcare expenses.
“We can’t afford surprises,” Coffee said. “If there are red flags in how Turn Key has operated elsewhere, we owe it to taxpayers and inmates to be absolutely sure before we commit.”
Tanner agreed, noting that due diligence is crucial. “We must protect county finances and ensure quality care,” she said. “If Turn Key is the solution, let’s confirm it aligns with our standards before signing.”
Jail overcrowding, broader challenges, and committee ideas
Overcrowding at the county jail has been a longstanding issue. Like many counties across Texas, Potter County has struggled to keep pace with a rising inmate population. Elsewhere in the state, some jails have resorted to transporting inmates hours away — and in some instances, even to neighboring states — straining manpower and local resources.
A citizen-appointed committee initially focused on adding more beds, either by constructing new pods, expanding current units, or repurposing underutilized spaces. However, Coffee urged looking beyond construction this time. The committee’s proposals include upgrading dormitory-style units into more efficient pod layouts, installing modular units that adjust to population changes, and refining inmate classification systems to make the best use of existing space.
Still, Coffee pointed out that on any given day, 80 to 100 state inmates linger in the local jail awaiting transfer. If the state could remove them more promptly, Potter County might avoid expensive construction and reduce reliance on sending inmates far away.
“Building more pods isn’t our only option,” Coffee said. “The committee has strong ideas — modular units, better classification, more efficient space use — but we also need cooperation from the state. If we can speed up inmate transfers, we can reduce crowding without just stacking beds or shipping inmates all over Texas.”
Tanner noted that retiring county debt could help if building becomes unavoidable, but she urged careful consideration. “We’ve been dealing with overcrowding for years,” she said. “Let’s use our experience and all the committee’s suggestions to be smarter now. We should talk to our representatives, maybe the governor’s office, and find resources that save taxpayers money and prevent hasty decisions.”
Next steps
No firm conclusions emerged Monday, but the commissioners plan to act soon. They will send notices to Shafer and the two judges, clarifying that the county will not pay for unauthorized body removals. They may also revisit Turn Key’s proposal at a special meeting and broaden the jail committee’s mandate in the future to include not just expansion but also policy reforms, state-level coordination, and flexible inmate housing solutions.
For Coffee, the message remains consistent: Everyone must follow the rules and keep the public’s best interests at heart. “We’re here to serve, not cater to personal whims,” he said. “If that means exploring every idea — from modular units to working more closely with the state — then we’ll do it. Our job is to protect this county’s interests, manage our inmate population responsibly, and avoid unnecessary strain on our resources.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Potter County battles defiant judges, jail overcrowding and costs