Potter County is grappling with an unusual and contentious standoff involving two Justices of the Peace who have defied the county's established contract for body removal services. Robert Taylor and Thomas Jones continue to use Shafer Mortuary Services, a firm lacking a county-approved contract, instead of Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation Services, the official vendor selected through a transparent bidding process.
A Clash of Policy and Preference
The judges’ actions have drawn sharp criticism from county officials, who argue that bypassing the contracted vendor undermines established procedures. Commissioner John Coffee expressed frustration with their defiance.
“They’re choosing to ignore the process and do what they want,” Coffee stated. “We’ve followed a fair, transparent system for years. It’s just not right for elected officials to bypass that because of personal preferences.”
Legal and Financial Complications
Shafer Mortuary Services, the firm favored by the judges, now faces a precarious position. Without a county-approved contract, Potter County cannot legally pay Shafer for its services. This has led to significant concerns about financial liabilities for the county and Shafer itself.
County Judge Nancy Tanner highlighted the predicament: “We’ve warned these judges repeatedly that Lighthouse is the approved vendor. They’ve put Shafer in a tough spot — working without any guarantee of payment. We can’t fire elected officials, but we do expect them to follow the rules.”
The situation has reached a critical juncture, with officials weighing their options to enforce compliance. Coffee even considered making a motion to compel the noncompliant judges to pay Shafer’s costs from their own salaries but ultimately decided against it. Nevertheless, he warned that continued defiance could lead to legal action.
“Shafer deserves payment,” Coffee said. “If they won’t use the county-approved vendor, what choice do we have?”
Steps Toward Resolution
To address the escalating tension, the Potter County Commissioners have announced plans to send formal notices to Shafer Mortuary Services and the two justices. These notices will explicitly state that the county will not pay for unauthorized removal services. Officials hope that this measure will resolve the dispute and reaffirm the importance of adhering to county-approved processes.
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