Long-time City Judge Hilton Conger retired last week after serving on the bench for almost 30 years. Looking to fill his position are local attorneys Gayla Hendrix and Mingy Bryant-Ball. 

During Thursday night’s special called meeting, Mayor Josh Miller told aldermen that the Hendrix and Ball had submitted resumes seeking the appointment.

Conger served two terms as an elected judge and seven terms by appointment of the mayor and aldermen.

The Smithville Municipal Court, up until 2002, had the same jurisdiction in city criminal cases as the General Sessions Court, and the City Judge held court several times each month with the City Attorney serving as Prosecutor.

The aldermen will make their choice of who will replace Conger at the next special called meeting this Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. With Hendrix being an incumbent alderman, she will have to abstain from voting. This leaves the decision to the remaining aldermen, Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, Brandon Cox and Jessica Higgins.

After changes were made in the City Charter, the City Court’s jurisdiction was reduced to mostly minor traffic offenses and city ordinance violations. The court now convenes only once per month.

The charter change also provided that the City Judge no longer be elected by city voters to an eight year term, but that he or she must serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, appointed to a two year term.