Sheriff, justice of the peace present budgets

Hill County Justice of the Peace Audrey Barger and Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross presented their departments’ proposed budgets for the coming fiscal year in separate meetings with the Hill County Commission Tuesday and discussed some COVID-19-related issues that have had effects on those budgets.

Barger said her budget makes allowances for hiring a court reporter, which she said, might become necessary amid the pandemic.

She said socially distancing jurors in the courtroom makes traditional recording impossible so depending on how long the pandemic lasts she may need to employ the services of...