The Lubbock County Commissioners Court is expected to discuss on Monday whether to support an independent state investigation into “apparent payroll irregularities.”
An investigation by the county District Attorney’s office began after news broke by local digital media service Lubbock Lights that Mark Meurer remained on the county’s payroll as a commissioner for Lubbock County Precinct 2, even as a judge temporarily confirmed Jason Corley as the duly elected commissioner for that precinct.
Meurer was appointed as commissioner by County Judge Curtis Parrish at the end of last year. Parrish announced in a statement in the court on Dec. 8 that Jason Corley had “automatically” resigned when he began exploring his campaign for the Congressional District 19 primary on the GOP ticket.
A lawsuit was filed against Meurer and shortly after Parrish's announcement, State Judge Patrick Pirtle decided in a hearing to reinstate Corley, at least temporarily, but payments to Meurer continued. In a statement, Meurer said he has been setting aside the money from the county with the intention of returning it, but said he was advised by Judge Parrish to hold the funds pending a final ruling on the commissioner’s seat.
In his statement, Meurer said he will “withdraw from the pending litigation and leave the matter to Judge Parish [sic] and the State of Texas.”
A hearing on that litigation was scheduled for October 13 in the 7th Court of Appeals, but according to Judge Parrish, Meurer's withdrawal has ended the need for that hearing.
Parrish issued a statement after Meurer's withdrawal, acknowledging that all salary is being returned.
As of Friday morning, Lubbock County Commissioners were still scheduled to vote on whether to support a request by the District Attorney's office for an independent investigation by the Texas Rangers when the court reconvenes in their regular meeting on Monday.
This story will be updated as news develops.
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2026
After the Court ruling returned Commissioner Corley to office in December 2025, I continued to receive pay for the commissioner’s position. I immediately contacted Judge Parish and alerted him of the possible overpayment. Judge Parish told me to keep the salary pending the completion of the legal challenge. In the following months, I reminded him of the possible overpayment at least two more times. Each time, Judge Parish told me to keep the salary because the Court had not made a final ruling on who should hold the commissioner’s seat.
However, I set the salary payments aside. It was never my intention to keep a salary for duties I did not perform. I trusted that Judge Parish’s instructions to me were proper.
I will return the full amount of the salary payments I received to the County. I will not continue to participate in the legal action related to Judge Parish’s attempt to remove Commissioner Corley from office. I will withdraw from the pending litigation and leave the matter to Judge Parish and the State of Texas.
Monday, I went into the hospital for a throat procedure. I do not know when I will be released. While I am hospitalized, my ability to respond to further inquiries may be limited or delayed.
Sincerely,
Mark Meurer
STATEMENT FROM JUDGE CURTIS PARRISH
I want to provide an update on the status of next month’s 7th Court of Appeals hearing in the case of the State of Texas vs. Mark Meurer, to get legal clarity on the issue of who sits in the Lubbock County Commissioner Precinct 2 position. These issues have drawn out longer than any of us anticipated. Mr. Meurer released a statement yesterday stating he wishes to withdraw from the lawsuit and end the upcoming appellate court hearing.
There have been a lot of accusations, threats, and incorrect information thrown around in the last several days. While I am fairly used to this, Mr. Meurer is not. I fully understand his decision to withdraw. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Meurer. I always have and always will. I want to thank him for his willingness to serve the people of Lubbock County at a time when we needed him. This withdrawal resolves the questions before the appeals court. All salary is being returned, and there will be no further hearings regarding this matter.
We now move forward to take care of the needs of Lubbock County.
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