The Collin County Observer
Auditor asks for an attorney
06/09/08
11:11:29 pm, by bill 
, 338 words, 
Categories: Observer Opinions, Open Government, Good Governance, Politics, Law, Crime & Punishment
Auditor asks for an attorney
In a goofy twist in an absurd power struggle, the Commissioners Court agenda for Tuesday lists item number #5: from the Auditor - "Respectfully request legal representation under "Commissioners Court of Harris County v. Fullerton".
Court records show that the Auditor, Donald Cozad, is already represented by Homer B. Reynolds. I guess Mr. Cozad forgot that he has to beg those who are suing him to pay for his lawyer.
Mr. Reynolds is a highly regarded local attorney. Maybe he is not thrilled at the prospect of working for free.
Goofy? Yes.
Expensive? You betcha.
The commissioners are playing junk yard dog - defending their turf against an uppity auditor who wants to see how the dollars are being reported by the myriad of software programs the commissioners have bought over the last few years.
When Cozad was rebuffed in his efforts to look at the software, he asked the Texas Attorney General for a ruling on the auditor's right to inspect software and protocols.
The commissioners reacted as would any junk yard dog who sees a trespasser. But since they couldn't bite him, they sued.
The Texas Government Code created the position of County Auditor. Not really wanting the foxes to guard the hen house, our legislators placed the auditor under the authority of the District Judges, not the County Commissioners.
The judges don't seem inclined to fire Cozad. (In fact it appears that he is following their instructions.)
So the only way the commissioners can try to stop Mr. Cozad's prying into elected official's computerized financial stuff is to sue him. Which brings us back to the agenda item - Now that he's being sued by the County, Cozad needs the County to pay for his lawyer.
Collin County taxpayers will foot the bill. You betcha!
Bill
Notes:
Collin County Observer May 28, 2008: Who authorized the suit against the Auditor?
McKinney Courier-Gazette May 23, 2008: County seeks declaratory judgment against auditorCollin County Observer May 20, 2008: I protest yet another secret meeting
Collin County Observer April 26, 2008: Who's watching the store? (And the disk drives?)
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