Last week, Dallas County broke ground on its new Oak Cliff Government Center, a $27.6-million-dollar project scheduled for completion in July 2021. The government center will house the Dallas County Justice of the Peace, Truancy, Constable and Tax departments. The project will also include the construction of a three-story parking garage with 240 parking spaces. Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba
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The Dallas County Juvenile Department implemented a variety of protocols to keep staff and students safe while operating during the coronavirus pandemic. The department requires employees to complete health-screening questionnaires and temperature checks daily and installed informative signage on all relevant office sites. Additionally, the department lowered the occupancy capacities of its offices and staggered employees’ work schedules. “The health
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Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dallas County Public Works (DCPW) department has continued service as an essential department. Some staff members have continued their important work in the field while others have shifted to working remotely. “We have implemented social distancing practices and utilized technology to manage the risk to our partners and staff,” said Public Works Director Alberta Blair,
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In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak when the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) became apparent, Lonna Schurrman, daughter of Dallas County Inspector Jimmy Vermillion, began making masks for family, friends and her father’s coworkers. Each of Schurrman’s masks include a personalized touch, and she modifies her mask designs (e.g., masks with loops, ties or elastic head bands) to
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Photo courtesy of Charles Gbadebo. Read “The Power of a Second Chance: Dallas County and the Azteca-Coverall Joint Venture instill hope in the local community” here.
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The nuisance enforcement and patrol efforts of the Department of Unincorporated Area Services (DUAS) are contributing to cleaner communities and better-informed property owners. For example, a site that was used as a dumping ground for construction materials is now clean. Nuisance Abatement Officer Mary Walton used a credit card receipt located among debris on the site to track down the property owner. On
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The Dallas County Fire Marshal department partnered with the Dallas Police Department to address outstanding vehicle-salvage business violations. This cooperative effort was in response to a growing need to serve businesses located in jurisdictional gray areas. The Dallas Police Department enlisted its auto theft, code enforcement and fire-rescue inspection divisions and abatement and community prosecution teams to work alongside its
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This story is part of the Dallas County Messenger’s series showcasing the people serving Dallas County. Lynn Pride Richardson is the Chief Public Defender in the Public Defender’s Office. Explain your specific role at the County. As Chief Public Defender, my role as a Dallas County Department Head is to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the largest and
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Dallas County Veteran Services strives to assist every veteran, surviving spouses and eligible dependents in the Dallas County area. County Veteran Services Officers (CVSOs) assist veterans and their families in understanding what benefits are available, filing necessary claims, representing individuals and presenting claims in VA hearings. Dallas County currently services a population of over 100,000 veterans. When claimants need assistance
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Michael Frosch will serve as the new Purchasing Director for Dallas County. He joins the County with over 30 years of experience and has been instrumental in shaping and moving forward municipal procurement departments. “Michael Frosch will add value to the purchasing team with his keen awareness to efficiency, supply chain management and acquisition planning,” Assistant County Administrator Gordon Hikel
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