Elected Officials May Get Raises
The Glasscock County Commissioners Court spent time on both June 30 and July 14 doing preliminary work on the 2008-2009 budget. On June 30, raises ranging from 13 to 43 percent for seven the county’s eleven elected officials were discussed. Raises for county commissioners have not been mentioned, but presumably their salaries will be discussed at a later meeting.
If the raises asked for by the seven officials are implemented as presented, the sheriff’s salary would be $43,000 and the newly separate tax assessor/collector’s job would also pay $43,000. Previously, the combined sheriff/tax assessor-collector’s job paid $37,100. The county-district clerk’s salary would move from $32,000 to $43,000; the county judge would get a jump from $26,520 to $31,000 (plus the $15,000 supplement paid by the state); the justice of the peace would go from $19,500 to $22,000; the county treasurer would move from $31,400 to $43,000 and the constable would go from $10,500 to $15,000.
The officials arrived at the proposed salary figures after comparing salaries paid in some area counties of similar size.
The commissioners’ court on July 14 discussed raising part-time Extension Service secretary Gena Halfmann’s salary from $12,000 per year to $15,000 per year. County Judge Wilburn Bednar was insistent that the salary be raised, citing the excellent job which she does. No raises for other county employees were proposed.
The court will meet in special session for budget work July 28 and have its regular meeting Aug. 11.
Other Noteworthy Items
In addition to the proposed salary increases and sheriff’s department increases discussed elsewhere, some tentative budget items include: $225,000 for road equipment, $140,000 for road crew fuels (up from $110,000), $100,000 for road crew repairs, supplies and upkeep, $20,000 for tires and tubes, $75,000 for road building materials; $300,000 for seal coating and paving; $25,000 for a fire truck (a grant will hopefully pay the rest of the cost); $25,000 for legal expense (up from $5,000 due to a possible murder trial), and $230,000 for indigent health care (percentage required by state law).
Extension Agent Charlene Belew explained why the department is asking for $30,000 to buy an SUV, such as a Suburban. She said they frequently haul kids and materials to 4-H events around the state and have to borrow vehicles from the school or ask for volunteers to take theirs. She said such an SUV would be used by both extension agents as well as other county employees, and could pull a trailer, which is often needed for luggage, costumes, props, etc. She said 4-H has 85 members, but reaches virtually all the school kids through life skills and leadership programs.
Valuations from the tax office are not yet available, and budget figures are still tentative.