The Grimes County Sheriff’s and Constables are increasing a couple fees in their year end bottom lines.
County Clerk Vanessa Burzynski presented the changes for 2023, specifically targeting the Writ of Possession fees.
“The fee was $100, and they discussed adding an additional fee of $50 an hour after the first two hours. I got a call from Judge [Mark Laughlin], and his concern on this was that they have to pay that fee up front,” said Burzynski. “And, not knowing how long they will be at a location, his question was ‘how do they collect that extra $50 an hour?’ His recommendation was to increase the base fee from $100 to $150.”
Writ of Possession, to clarify, is mostly directed toward landlords utilizing officers in evicting tenants, and getting property back.
Burzynski said that the Constables were in agreement with the changes.
County Judge Joe Fauth says the fees lineup with most other places.
“We did a comparison with surrounding counties…we are right on target. For the most part, we were fairly consistent, but we were not overpriced, compared to other counties,” said Fauth.
Commissioner’s approved he Writ of Possession fee increase to $150.
Also approved in the changes was the cost of posting notices, going up from $45 to $50.
