Potter County facing financial challenges in 2026, and the county judge’s final year in office

POTTER COUNTY, Texas — Potter County is hitting the New Year in a financial hole.

While there were no substantial cuts to services, county residents will see a tax increase to make up for a $3 million shortfall.

“Times are tough. I’m sure I’m not the only county judge going through this too,” County Judge Nancy Tanner told us on Inside Texas Politics. “We have so many things that we have to do. We built a new building, built a new courthouse and got that done … now, we’re looking at building a jail.”

And that new jail will be key for Potter County in 2026. Judge Tanner calls the overcrowding situation at the current facility a “crisis.” But at a cost of around $250 million, the county is holding off until they figure out how to pay for it. Judge Tanner, for instance, thinks the public would reject a bond election.

Watch the full Inside Texas Politics episode here:

But there is some positive news for Potter County. Construction of a new mental health hospital is on track and will continue in 2026. It’s scheduled to open in May 2027.

While Judge Tanner was the driving force in getting that new facility approved, she will retire at the end of 2026. But don’t be surprised if you see her in some capacity at that facility, one of her crowning achievements while serving as Potter County Judge.

“I don’t know if you can be a greeter at a state mental health hospital like you do at Walmart, but I’ll think of something I could put my hand in and help out as much as I can,” she told us.