Mayor Martin Heines, left, administers the municipal court judge oath of office to Amy McCullough following her unanimous appointment to act as a temporary judge on Wednesday. Faith Harper/staff

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Amy McCullough will soon go from making decisions on property issues to hearing about traffic fines and code violations.

On Wednesday, Ms. McCullough, 55, was appointed as an interim Municipal Court Judge while the city looks to find a permanent replacement.

An attorney by trade, she has been a member of the city’s planning and zoning commission for more than four years.

“I have had the privilege of being on planning and zoning with Amy,” Councilman Don Warren said before her unanimous vote. “I was able to see her in the decision-making process and thinking process. I was always impressed by Amy, and I think this is a great selection.”

To take on the role, she will have to step down from the planning and zoning commission to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Ms. McCullough is the second interim judge appointed this month, joining former city attorney Gary Landers on the bench.

The city uses contract judges to run its municipal court but was left without judges following Richard Patteson’s retirement in January. They are paid $80 per hour for the work and do not receive benefits. The city generally has one or two judges on contract.

Ms. McCullough is not currently practicing, but has a background in municipal law.

She worked as an assistant district attorney in Harris County before becoming the acting city attorney for the city of Pearland in the 1990s.

After that she worked in private practice, before taking some time off to raise a family.

She said serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and on the bench have similarities.

“Patience is a key factor is serving in both capacities because the citizens need to understand the process, and they need to feel satisfied they have been heard and that their concerns have been addressed,” she said.

The Municipal Court only handles Class C misdemeanors, which includes traffic citations and code violations. Speeding, leash law violations and tall grass are all handled as well.

Ms. McCullough is a graduate of Tyler Junior College. She received her undergraduate degree in theater from the University of Mississippi, followed by a masters in theater from the University of Oklahoma.

She then earned a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

 

FINDING A REPLACEMENT

The city will go through a Request for Qualifications process within the next 90 days to find replacement judges, Keidric Trimble, Tyler’s chief financial officer who also serves as supervisor role over the court, said. The city is on a hiring freeze, but the position will be replaced.

“The court will cease operations without a judge,” Trimble has said. “We have been having hiring freezes, but the judge is essential to the court.”

By city charter, the only requirement for judges is they have a law degree and are in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Trimble said the city would work out what other kind of expertise they would like to see in potential judges.

The city also is doing a market study to see if $80 an hour is competitive for the service.

Twitter: @TMTFaith