[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6164101,"mediaKeyId","5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933","parentId",5431589,"title","Hunt County court directs staff to load 3% pay increase into preliminary 2025–26 budget; requests to be prioritized","audioSeconds",2714,"startMs",86000,"endMs",2800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933&start=86&end=2800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933/thumbnail_86000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164101/Hunt-County/Texas/Hunt-County-court-directs-staff-to-load-3-pay-increase-into-preliminary-202526-budget-requests-to-be-prioritized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164101-7e13c0d177eab08ad212dbf0b144926f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620668&Signature=nDfGQTf5H-2HDHLSZmMuK2eImmNNw4jZisuv93jDuV2Sd~kurqJB9-ws~pAgrHDN3YIVSeuSKO1qU2PLD8~gTF4w~ugedHLw~XWeDFKUkT0zs~CyK~AN6R7Kjj18gTS1kvMfoZG4Bmeb2qZf7XjMfqdYhAmVZqzr~7PeqBeiRHI8a0SQUR1xIMnmYKjQW~dBDd0fqzGUfWZVxWRaNQFijPn4q0~DqdAS1p4psWAQv68InT5RXtSUQCrECTzsCjcdWC3UbNohGDzGO6J2Yw~5Qppsl7hlqKqW6nywJWYRYfWbTpDm4gqLU-6oiBZVdR5-2~3WOkakxnhBiLVuNYBBjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hunt County, Texas","date","2025-07-20T13:27:55.49Z","article","HUNT COUNTY, Texas — The Hunt County Commissioners Court on July 18 directed staff to include a 3% pay increase in the preliminary fiscal 2025–26 budget and to load all department funding requests into a combined preliminary budget for review. The court set a target to have the consolidated preliminary numbers ready within about a week so commissioners can begin prioritizing before the county’s public filing deadlines in early August.

Why it matters: The 3% baseline gives staff and elected leaders a single starting figure for final budget cuts and tradeoffs. Commissioners repeatedly described law‑enforcement staffing, the public‑health inspector vacancy, senior services and the AMR emergency‑service contract as among the highest priorities to weigh against limited county revenue.

During the special session Judge Stovall, who presided, and the three commissioners present discussed an array of separate department requests — raises and new positions submitted by the sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office, the health department, veterans services and others. The court agreed to enter the 3% figure into the budget tool and to assemble the requested new positions and supplemental requests into a separate worksheet the court can add into or subtract from the core budget for modeling. “Let’s load in initially at 3%,” one commissioner summarized as the working baseline.

County staff said most departmental requests have now been submitted and that the county should have a near‑complete preliminary budget for internal review by the end of next week. Commissioners noted that several large obligations remain uncertain, including the county’s final certified tax roll (expected by the tax office next week) and the final figures for items such as a county hazard‑mitigation plan and the new AMR contract, all of which affect the final tax‑rate and spending choices.

Court members also discussed how to present the public version of the budget. One commissioner said he preferred filing a preliminary budget that reflected the higher ‘‘top’’ number so the court could then identify cuts from a prioritized list rather than present a lower number and later add large sums.

The court made no final appropriations at the session. The only formal vote recorded was to adjourn at 10:14 a.m.; other budget directions were recorded as guidance to staff and not formal approvals. Staff said they will provide both the departments’ requested figures and the court’s budgetary totals when the preliminary package is ready.

Looking ahead: Commissioners asked staff to return a consolidated package showing the requested additions (new positions, raises and contract increases) and a second worksheet that adds those requested items to the baseline budget that includes the 3% pay cost. The court plans to use those documents to prioritize staffing and one‑time needs before finalizing recommended budget figures to publish for the public.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Court Special Session 07/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hunt County Commissioners Court on July 18 directed staff to include a 3% across‑the‑board pay adjustment in the preliminary fiscal 2025–26 budget and to load all departmental requests into a consolidated package for review.","taxTitle","taxId",51030,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164086,"Senior center requests roughly $131,700 for food and transportation; commissioners weigh partial aid amid tighter priorities",251,1761000,2012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933&start=1761&end=2012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933/thumbnail_1761000.jpg","/articles/6164086/Hunt-County/Texas/Senior-center-requests-roughly-131700-for-food-and-transportation-commissioners-weigh-partial-aid-amid-tighter-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164086-a87b92c7bf8d6834eb7d83c4dc60e7d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620668&Signature=THlgi4lXXJQqraFZzo-hYrQvv0DTeEZk00mzwvsSIZ9Y9W0weqOZ924VWV~xPf5-uSVYevVn58TrPyH0USJAccg4Nm4PIhN3SSqJITRAImVY-kgthILbKrnZHKRGFySWT-iai~xMYeWHeexVxvrceZC3ZpKH77vYavoXyvokKwMaPKRI1Xs1SVMBCV0qzS1CP2jHInct~pdgcDBYnc-~gSpnvR7LmY99SqN1QzMtiBegyYkQTI2w-0KToWR2Np4UIO5MEdwXbYgxNrbozdh-Vv1RsYwXGR4t0Xzndv-H158TJ57PtY8XYoFaqgoKYpR2Y3OWGWAJ2wMRWf0gEy5RjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNT COUNTY, Texas — The county’s senior center requested increased funding for transportation and meal services at the July 18 special session, asking commissioners to add approximately $131,718 for the next budget year. Commissioners said they sympathize but raised questions about where the county should prioritize limited funds.

Why it matters: The senior center provides meals and transportation to older residents. A significant increase in county support would add recurring costs to the county’s budget during a year commissioners said already faces heavy demands for public safety, health and contract increases.

County documents shown to the court list $65,859 for transportation and $65,859 for food, which the presenter described as an aggregate request of about $131,718. Commissioners and staff noted the county budgeted roughly $59,000 for the program last year and added a $19,000 one‑time payment in the most recent year to help with milk and other shortfalls. Commissioners discussed possibly splitting the difference rather than approving the full request, and stressed they must weigh the senior center’s appeal against demands from the sheriff’s office, health department and other county obligations.

No appropriation was made at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to include the senior center’s request in the consolidated preliminary packet so it could be modeled alongside other requests and the baseline 3% pay adjustment.

The court did not identify alternate specific funding sources at the meeting; commissioners noted the center is pursuing fundraisers and seeking state or federal restoration of previously cut funding but said no confirmed external funding had been identified during the session.","The Hunt County senior center asked the commissioners court on July 18 for roughly $131,718 to cover transportation and food services in the coming budget year; commissioners agreed to include the request in the consolidated preliminary budget while weighing it against higher‑priority needs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164090,"Hunt County health department struggles to fill licensed food inspector role; commissioners discuss raising pay",547,649000,1196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933&start=649&end=1196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933/thumbnail_649000.jpg","/articles/6164090/Hunt-County/Texas/Hunt-County-health-department-struggles-to-fill-licensed-food-inspector-role-commissioners-discuss-raising-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164090-5d1c3c529cb5d9b32ab34b3b73d3227a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620668&Signature=NwUOmqmSATqDNXpCquephVnGtFFedjE61Y3JzUgj4dyT~2sGjp~DPC98GpqbD3sulVKdHPsdv3YOB-cO8mAOSdfr4XkvwWZHM9TxBDP-aXu4yoDPJkACGZEfHvFXVsE0SrZQGhgyZ773UdTqr4H6mBZ4zV5kOLhWsIPujNv7fqms37CrrqU1kmHyK6YeHpxgXLwp404U5LE7STa123MzJmaMIBdUGssultqP8wjrZ65c98b~8fUSR0RSnQDKY9v3ZcG~Qv8CwHgVM2WD71PHaubH77bUHCA97Geev3YAnX0L~wIpZg-i0sa5SomZL3rD0ASmzb4dVQSRH8mxvFyOng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNT COUNTY, Texas — Hunt County health department leaders told the Commissioners Court on July 18 that they have been advertising a food‑inspector position for months without finding qualified applicants, and commissioners asked county staff to research market pay to make the vacancy competitive.

Why it matters: Regular restaurant inspections are a public‑health function. The county’s current staffing shortage has left licensed staff covering multiple duties and the county said inspection frequency is a workload concern.

County staff and elected leaders said the food‑inspector license requires a college degree and 30 hours of science coursework. The court heard that two current employees — Rodney (identified in the meeting as having the required designation) and another staff member — hold the license; another candidate in the county’s recruiting history reportedly declined the job because the county salary offer was not high enough. At the meeting a staff member cited the posted starting pay for the open position as \"$63.05\" in the record; meeting participants discussed that figure as the advertised rate but also noted the pay and the license requirement may make recruiting difficult.

Commissioners asked county staff (Sandy and others) to consult with the health department, gather pay comparables and recommend a salary that would attract licensed candidates. Several commissioners and staff cautioned that the county cannot create a new position when it cannot fill the existing vacancy but said if a licensed candidate is hired and proves effective, the county can revisit requests for additional staffing.

No formal pay change or new position was approved at the session. Staff were directed to return recommended salary adjustments and comparables as part of the consolidated preliminary budget package.","County health staff told the July 18 court that the advertised food‑inspector position requires a college degree with at least 30 hours of science and that qualified applicants have been scarce. Commissioners asked staff to gather market comparisons and consider increasing the posted pay to attract licensed candidates.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164096,"Sheriff asks for more deputies; court discusses using SB 22 funds for equipment and partial costs",321,1279000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933&start=1279&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933/thumbnail_1279000.jpg","/articles/6164096/Hunt-County/Texas/Sheriff-asks-for-more-deputies-court-discusses-using-SB-22-funds-for-equipment-and-partial-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164096-10626839e18dd923f347d5b5499fb2af/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620668&Signature=HB~aBHzn4vwa0PwbPaKFMSeeA30g7NHY6N-FPReJBvK3q-ySTRZeLq-euTD9GPUo3ZlWLcMY-JmZMzA2nFNCQY-Wb9nuRrdTKDg4GZNoYEiUBAdCXjVWv~Had6CZw~Ome8HYj4OsXEosUx~2qRSldeSi~Y9UsL2QzospDmumB67wvdRr~MoBEKOf3r2f-GXJ4Bn6MZHpGF~wgUFk6nP83rjiEeEDUkC7nJY0ddoHCQaKKZ6TMlUUNc7sCFpig4DtD-AlwYe4riYLCLRStvI25T8c5zIECFKTX9dbsiIbTPoGiYHvNh7F6fHxpj7RAfwog17NmcSgF3QeLisJbU6-Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNT COUNTY, Texas — The Hunt County sheriff’s office told the commissioners court on July 18 it needs additional deputies to reduce long response times and to support jail operations, and the court discussed partially using Senate Bill 22 funds for equipment and vehicles tied to new positions.

Why it matters: County law enforcement staffing and jail population were described as the meeting’s most pressing public‑safety concerns. Hiring multiple deputies and equipping them would create a recurring personnel cost for the county and involve one‑time equipment outlays.

Buddy Oxford, chief deputy for Hunt County, said the sheriff initially requested seven new positions; the sheriff reduced that request to five. Oxford asked the court for guidance so the sheriff’s office could rework its proposed budget lines and identify savings if the court will consider fewer hires. “If you can give us not a commitment, but a suggestion that you’d consider, we could go back and look through our budget and cut down all the other excess money in the different line items that could help the budget,” Oxford said.

Court members and staff discussed using SB 22 funds to pay for equipment tied to new deputies — patrol vehicles, body armor and other gear — rather than using those funds for ongoing salary obligations. A county staffer suggested subtracting $500,000 from the sheriff’s requested total as a placeholder for SB 22‑funded equipment; county staff later explained that removing that amount would make the county share closer to the estimated recurring payroll cost for five deputies.

Several commissioners urged prioritizing at least five deputies if possible. Commissioners also discussed alternatives including phasing hires (for example, authorizing some positions on Oct. 1 and adding others in April) to save part‑year payroll costs while allowing the office to recruit and onboard personnel. The sheriff’s office cautioned that adopting positions does not mean they can be filled immediately: equipment delivery and vehicle ordering timelines mean new hires may not be fully operational right at the start of the fiscal year.

No binding commitment was made at the session. Commissioners provided the sheriff’s office with budget guidance — including the contingent $500,000 SB 22 figure — and asked staff to reflect those directions in the preliminary figures the court will review next week.","Hunt County sheriff's office requested new deputy positions; chief deputy said the original ask was seven positions and the sheriff reduced it to five. Commissioners discussed using SB 22 funds to cover equipment and vehicle costs (roughly $500,000 suggested) and considered phasing hires if full funding isn't available.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164081,"District attorney’s office requests three internal promotions; commissioners ask for budget routing and note timing constraints",335,109000,444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933&start=109&end=444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431589-7a98559b4a3e1afd377dedd39106f933/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6164081/Hunt-County/Texas/District-attorneys-office-requests-three-internal-promotions-commissioners-ask-for-budget-routing-and-note-timing-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164081-7a8004fb28ac97c3eafaa1b0c0da469e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620668&Signature=BFUQ-DSJD1OkmQnJSCumYN5aM3THWMu6RTI7NONdDzbbeSzZGbznzje124qPE5zVCR7QM1SNK929bBYf-tLbWQWTeeDahDbjw36NpwTRXkph84ZHRze9AIjFmmblbHXcwGX9Xu6gEqkvfr9prlWNJnVc1pViwkeuOmzPnbmRgM1X9XSXcL1EKAwloDQT4fh2S1Ua~bFb7dtRy4i48ZPpTUM-XkXUoGZw4gsRf4cneSpnAlMQWpPfiVJCMrClFbx3sgDXkljZ5Mqo2D8HnPTHkl2bwc7oKRAEDeSSj9WS9MNK7nAb8n~Ni-6GXANNlb3A9J-oVPly6qVaZmCQiKtQbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNT COUNTY, Texas — At the July 18 special session an office representative identified as Susan asked the commissioners court to approve three internal promotions in the district attorney’s office to cover duties after the chief criminal deputy transferred in mid‑June.

Why it matters: Internal promotions change payroll and duties within the DA’s office and are part of the county’s personnel decisions to be reflected in the FY2025–26 budget.

Susan said the office already filled the entry‑level vacancy and asked to move one employee into the chief criminal deputy responsibilities, shift another employee into the duties left by that move, and make a third employee the primary court clerk and appeals clerk. Susan told the court she was not asking for additional appropriations beyond the office’s current budget for these moves and said the funds were available.

Susan described the requested pay adjustments in the meeting as follows: she said she would “like to bump [Lindsay] to 52,” proposed “bumping [Crystal] from 49 to 51,” and proposed “bumping [Krista] to 45.” The court asked about timing because raises and promotions typically fall into a June cutoff; Susan said the personnel change occurred around June 15 and asked the court to consider the office request during the current budget process. Commissioners asked for the moves to be entered into the preliminary budget packet so the court can see the total fiscal impact alongside other requests.

No formal action to approve the promotions or salary adjustments occurred at the session. The court noted the office’s assertion that existing funds would cover the raises but instructed staff to include the requested changes in the consolidated preliminary budget for review.","The district attorney’s office requested three internal promotions to cover duties after its chief criminal deputy left in mid‑June. Office representative Susan asked to promote current staff and to adjust pay slightly; the court noted promotion and raise cutoff timing and that funds were reported available in the office’s request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hunt County court directs staff to load 3% pay increase into preliminary 2025–26 budget; requests to be prioritized

Senior center requests roughly $131,700 for food and transportation; commissioners weigh partial aid amid tighter priorities

Hunt County health department struggles to fill licensed food inspector role; commissioners discuss raising pay

Sheriff asks for more deputies; court discusses using SB 22 funds for equipment and partial costs

District attorney’s office requests three internal promotions; commissioners ask for budget routing and note timing constraints