Lubbock County HR proposes budget increases and new employee relations specialist positions

The Lubbock County Commissioners Court held a work session on June 24, 2025, focusing on various human resources initiatives and budgetary considerations. The meeting began with a commendation for the HR department's efforts over the past year, highlighting improvements in employee satisfaction with insurance programs and recruitment processes.

The HR director presented a summary of accomplishments, including the completion of an employee handbook rewrite, training programs on emotional intelligence and harassment prevention, and the rollout of new insurance products after a comprehensive request for proposals (RFP). A wellness and benefits fair was also successfully organized, marking the first such event in several years.

The discussion then shifted to the ongoing classification and compensation study, which aims to align job descriptions with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) standards. The HR department is collaborating with various county departments to ensure accurate evaluations of job roles.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to budget requests, including an additional $5,000 for professional services related to drug screening processes, driven by an increase in screenings following the new handbook's implementation. The HR department also proposed the addition of two positions: a risk and benefits manager and an employee relations specialist. These roles are intended to enhance oversight of employee benefits and improve employee engagement and retention strategies.

The HR director emphasized the need for a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees, advocating for merit-based raises tied to performance evaluations. The court discussed the challenges of budgeting for merit raises without prior evaluations, acknowledging the importance of estimating potential costs.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming classification study, set to begin in July, which will review the county's total benefit package and assess job classifications. The HR department aims to address existing vacancies and improve overall employee satisfaction through these initiatives.