Jeff Davis County remains the only county in the Tri-County region still withholding public records related to law enforcement grants, even as Brewster and Presidio counties have already released similar information. Despite requestor David Flash’s collaborative efforts to facilitate the process, County Attorney Glen Eisen’s office has been repeatedly obstructive, delaying the release and citing shifting justifications.
Flash originally submitted a Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) request on Jan. 16, 2025. On Jan. 31, Eisen responded with an estimated fee of $2,650—an amount based on a flawed calculation. The estimate included duplicating 2,250 pages twice for redaction, despite Texas law requiring electronic records to be provided digitally when possible. It also included labor costs for two employees working 70 hours each, a charge Flash challenged as excessive.
Rather than working toward a resolution, Jeff Davis County extended the deadline multiple times. Initially set for Feb. 18, the response date was pushed to March 4 and then to March 18. Eisen attributed the latest delay to another agency reviewing and redacting documents under the Governor’s direction. Meanwhile, both Brewster and Presidio counties fulfilled similar requests in a timely manner without imposing excessive costs.
Throughout the process, Flash has acted in good faith, suggesting reasonable alternatives and providing sample documents to expedite the review. Despite these efforts, Jeff Davis County remains an outlier in the region, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state public records laws.
Image: Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans
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