Dimmit County Commissioners Court spent an extended portion of its meeting debating a proposal to post 'County parking only 8 a.m.–5 p.m.' signs in courthouse parking lots (Precinct 2) and to allow towing for violators. Commissioners and staff expressed concern about enforcement logistics — including limited security staffing, gaps in camera monitoring, the legal requirements for towing, and potential liability if county staff or contractors wrongfully remove a vehicle.

Several commissioners said parking behavior at the courthouse often leaves no spaces during busy court months and that private businesses near the courthouse routinely use county parking. One commissioner described the proposal as “just a suggestion,” while others raised practical enforcement problems: who would validate a vehicle as on county business, whether cameras could distinguish patrons of nearby businesses, and whether temporary physical barriers or a validation-tag system would be viable.

Possible solutions discussed included signage as an advisory, increased parking validation or tagging, temporary chains or barricades during peak hours, and discussions with neighboring property owners to expand available employee parking. Commissioners noted an absence of an enforceable county parking policy and that a towing company requires established signage and procedural authority to remove vehicles lawfully.

After airing concerns about staffing and enforcement, a commissioner moved to table the proposal to allow staff time to work out enforcement logistics and legal requirements; the motion carried.

Why it matters: Courthouse parking affects juror access, county employee commutes and relationships with neighboring businesses. Enforcement raises legal and fiscal exposure for the county if done without clear policies and staffing in place.

What’s next: The court tabled the item and asked staff to return with options that address enforcement mechanisms, signage wording, and liability protections before any towing authority is implemented.

Sources: Court discussion on agenda item for posting 8AM–5PM signs in Precinct 2 parking lots.