Nueces County attorney requests salary raise to match new district judge benchmarks

Nueces County officials are advocating for a significant salary increase for the county's attorneys following a recent change in state law that raises the benchmark salary for district judges. During the budget workshop on July 10, 2025, it was revealed that the salary for a first-term district judge in Texas has increased from $140,000 to $175,000, with a further increase to $192,000 in their second term.

The county's attorney highlighted the need for a salary adjustment, stating, "I am asking that not just me personally, but this office be treated as you would treat the district judges." Currently, the county has 20 staff members, including 10 attorneys, and the attorney emphasized the importance of competitive salaries to attract and retain talent.

The attorney also pointed out that a supplement provided to help address salary shortfalls has been beneficial, but it does not obligate the county to maintain higher salaries in the future. "It was created to help district and county attorneys make up for the shortfalls," they noted, stressing the need for a raise that would allow more funds to be allocated to staff salaries.

As discussions continue, the county's leadership is urged to consider these salary adjustments to ensure that Nueces County remains competitive in attracting qualified legal professionals. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the county's legal staff and their ability to serve the community effectively.