[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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],{"_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",6138993,"mediaKeyId","5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4","parentId",5581794,"title","Court approves several personnel pay and benefits changes including COBRA vendor switch and conditional raises for victim advocates","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",2413000,"endMs",2218000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4&start=2413&end=2218","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4/thumbnail_2413000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138993/Hardin-County/Texas/Court-approves-several-personnel-pay-and-benefits-changes-including-COBRA-vendor-switch-and-conditional-raises-for-victim-advocates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138993-6f3bf0c172a96195b48f85b8f12ff1a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718536&Signature=N98TEVzz3Ex4KhR6We6H1Phf8wnSNaQDjPAaaJBBwBSWqVFY1CvMhjHfi83demQ1ID~bpdNsM5kt2cEqOWUca3X21Jl3qhi1uX39CZcvvd5g8gGdPpiGCNh3ecrWrJNbCgOxibXUKKck2WIzBly3u6QE8DPf6mGdxApqkurlUHULalgBp0gCT2SpIqZio3N7r1mMFqY35-aKpfwquhkEkG4Pcj6~ceRDZEOKgaETgWieQNlfwsElTu1vrB~xg~yWn7TCNAbbwT1mE2D2BXzoLisQrwZ0N4zvFVBu16kqgwY7c1gCEPv6EbCBE1Qo7fnElgQJA7IFeDWlE0DiWItIaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hardin County, Texas","date","2025-08-12T16:48:15Z","article","Hardin County Commissioners Court approved several personnel and benefits items Tuesday, including a change in the county’s COBRA administrator, routine insurance renewals with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC), conditional pay increases for crime‑victim advocates pending grant awards, and an immediate increase to the grand jury bailiff per‑session pay.

Human Resources Director Melinda Harrington recommended switching Hardin County’s COBRA administration from WageWorks to Willis Towers Watson Benefit Connect, saying Willis Towers Watson would reduce county notification costs and administrative effort because TAC would send COBRA notices directly. Commissioners approved the change by voice vote.

The court also authorized the county judge to sign an interlocal agreement with the Association of Counties for health and employee benefits services and approved the county’s 02/2026 renewal notice and benefits confirmation for health, dental, vision and life insurance through TAC. The county reported a 7.2% increase in health insurance rates and a 13% increase in dental; the county had budgeted slightly higher and therefore came in under the estimate.

On personnel pay, Judge Steve Thomas (356th Judicial District) asked the court to increase the grand‑jury bailiff fee from $250 per grand‑jury session to $350 effective immediately; commissioners approved the request by voice vote. The judge noted reductions in the number of sessions and said the requested increase would not require a budget amendment to FY25 or FY26.

The court conditionally approved a $1‑per‑hour increase for four crime victim advocate positions at the Hardin County Grama Victims Assistance Center, subject to state grant approvals. Lisa Brocker, director of the victims assistance center, explained the raises would recognize required certification and continuing‑education efforts; the pay increase was described as being in addition to the previously budgeted 3% raise only if grant awards authorize the change. Commissioners asked to be notified when grant awards are finalized; staff said they will notify the court upon award and that the increases would take effect Oct. 1 or later if approved by the grantor.

All motions on these items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 12, 2025 Commissioners Court Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Hardin County Commissioners Court approved a switch to Willis Towers Watson for COBRA administration, authorized TAC benefit agreements, conditionally approved $1/hour raises for four victim advocates pending grant awards, and raised the grand‑jury bailiff fee to $350 per session.","taxTitle","taxId",69493,"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},6138998,"Commissioners back distracted‑driver training for county vehicle operators",219,1591000,1810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4&start=1591&end=1810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","/articles/6138998/Hardin-County/Texas/Commissioners-back-distracteddriver-training-for-county-vehicle-operators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138998-608340216dbf70529f825ab2404b41a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718536&Signature=bFWNJuycj8WnG~5hcYRC7T170yRugzVWTTQslX412sU0NRUFDfeUF6Ec3ZNJFgaFp60I5VLqrG1AWNtUSaebCgtG9iA7eH~9HfExqAhRVJicz5190G2oGj6eWEwrw2XKWN8OhyoG9t5Sh2-zgV6T-6c7fovsXiUXMgyMU54Gge3JF8tFBKw4RP3sL6odqCqcXkEyxV7jP4IGVgc4MrTKSoNV5W-4jbd6UPwK~YQ9teqbAu1XjqpDRl3GtbNJBcYyJkYtfvc~GGC2tAVnr4Lec4tkWfTKfKUQ01TvQGNORE5GwFMM5M544YGg~2BOgEcqhNUu40XtC3zzHlZmbjI~bA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hardin County Commissioners Court heard a presentation Tuesday from Commissioner Charlotte Cook and the county safety committee recommending distracted‑driver training for all employees who operate county‑insured vehicles.

Commissioner Cook said automobile liability and property‑damage crashes were the committee’s top liability concern. The committee recommended training that addresses common in‑vehicle distractions — including cell phones, passengers and radios — and suggested the sheriff’s office could provide tailored classes for civilian drivers. Captain Dela Serva of the sheriff’s office was identified as a potential trainer for civilian courses.

Court members discussed logistics, including offering multiple short sessions so departments would not be crippled by staff absence and keeping classes to one or two hours. The sheriff’s office confirmed that similar continuing‑education offerings for certified officers are optional rather than mandatory, so the proposed civilian training would be newly required for county vehicle operators if the court directs it.

The court agreed the training was a good idea and asked staff to coordinate scheduling through the sheriff so multiple sessions could be offered to different departments. No formal ordinance or budget action was taken at the meeting; the item remained a discussion and planning direction to staff.","A safety committee recommended distracted‑driver training for all county employees who operate county‑insured vehicles; commissioners asked the sheriff’s office to develop and deliver classes for civilian drivers.",{"_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},6139003,"Commissioners vote to accept Purdue/Sackler settlement participation; county attorney to clarify allowable uses",236,3014000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4&start=3014&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4/thumbnail_3014000.jpg","/articles/6139003/Hardin-County/Texas/Commissioners-vote-to-accept-PurdueSackler-settlement-participation-county-attorney-to-clarify-allowable-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139003-78d0817d22059aea27a7ad5661b6e53a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718536&Signature=fqg2XISrPG4RXqy-ulYYehe9yD-W6kz5jb-og1TAIh6~6jWpn3ZjKAeHtteDekBrj1eQx9ThMdQZBhSG3XlwOlXJczY02LGc50KvW3XmSpe9Xs4-HY8kG05mX744TbGvwv1fA9Kt2JFd9TZCa6P-7HNEz5I5EpRt2AuauyaTeuG5BhfRnsPecxD-FRQu9rjWtEyKmznXnOC8jnfXtYl5yAxropyUw-zin3z63vIqC~fBU2iB3ed2Zqba8cT9bnjjRVAzZW7hQkt-J-gjI~r1ZU0rxPHAlREQWPA6OeIYvCZAaEsSSP-w5Z57o12RdEp~yNDD7TozoJTs~UR3TxktAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hardin County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to accept the county’s participation form for the Purdue and Sackler opioid settlement and authorized the county judge to execute the release, while asking county legal staff to clarify how any future settlements may be spent locally.

An outside presenter recommended acceptance of the settlement participation form and cautioned that the county cannot at present determine how much it will receive because funds are being distributed through bankruptcy proceedings. The presenter said accepting the settlement preserves the county’s right to any distribution; failing to accept could preclude participation in the bankruptcy resolution.

Commissioners discussed prior attempts to spend opioid-settlement proceeds and recent changes in guidance from the Office of the Attorney General and other advisors. County Attorney Matthew Minnick and other staff told the court they want clearer written guidance on what purchases qualify as opioid‑related spending; the sheriff’s office and auditor also have raised questions after being told some proposed purchases might not now qualify. Commissioner Kuykendahl asked county counsel to follow up with the attorney general’s office for precise, up‑to‑date instructions on eligible expenditures.

The court approved the motion to accept the release by voice vote; the transcript records an aye vote and no opposition. Commissioners emphasized they are holding current opioid payments in reserve until the county receives explicit guidance on allowable uses. County officials said they will convene follow‑up discussions with the county attorney, the auditor, and the sheriff to identify permissible projects and report back to the court.

Because the settlement is part of a bankruptcy process, the presenter said the county cannot at this time state an exact allocation amount; the court recorded no dollar figure for Hardin County on the record.","Hardin County agreed to participate in the national Purdue/Sackler opioid settlement and authorized the county judge to execute a release form; county officials requested follow-up guidance on allowable uses of proceeds.",{"_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},6139008,"Hardin County sets pay-raise effective date for fiscal 2026 payroll to Oct. 16",892,667000,1559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4&start=667&end=1559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5581794-a0cc2968f698cd0d754a5c15b7c7c1d4/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6139008/Hardin-County/Texas/Hardin-County-sets-pay-raise-effective-date-for-fiscal-2026-payroll-to-Oct-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139008-1e404aebd3189c1baeb5941fee0e5ea4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773718536&Signature=EfYSHwSY2RWIdmsKN5PsH-TCO-FHXEe~4rk3vNfUh~Mu5bv0BosE8eO-DPOslOfm7XtSoXzw7tkHAJee3qqDzdA2cTe3arv3g~zvXt~L7NqzLVK7hpkYgQdkQ0OSo8enBs25R7ZBa~fxtvFTSuQ5V0X0mYjolvLJc4aYSU9Oq0SPoVHr8tEoK7rk8HScqbjJRs8fshcQ8doExm4fm5lrbA58M3crtCIyPvTf~YlXJEno2e48-famtcjYKi66ce7orug21WHR7xv2B1GXmWipOfyZ13r9J1oVU7D6Ofv6S2cCX16tNhv2Wcs~6rQmLulylGeWBjZGRtKAsbcF-6ViQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hardin County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to make fiscal-year 2026 salary increases effective on the Oct. 16, 2025 payroll date, meaning most new wages will be paid on that check and any pay earned earlier will be booked to the prior fiscal year. The action follows a lengthy discussion about whether raises should take effect on the first payroll dated in October or on the first full pay period after Oct. 1.

County Auditor Candace McKinney told the court that the county’s historic practice was to base a raise’s effective date on the paycheck date and that having the Oct. 2 payroll as the effective date would place 100% of that payroll back into fiscal year 2025. McKinney said the Oct. 16 paycheck is mixed — roughly 80% of the pay period falls in the new fiscal year — so using that date would limit the amount that must be retroactively charged to FY25.

The court’s discussion focused on administrative and budgetary effects. Commissioner Kuykendahl and other members noted payroll timing quirks (including years with 27 pay periods) and expressed concern about the county appearing to reduce pay for employees; Commissioner Cooper emphasized that workers are paid for the time they earn in the fiscal year for which it was budgeted. Commissioners agreed to standardize the rule so the new wages would take effect on paychecks dated Oct. 1 or later when the time worked falls in the new fiscal year, and for this year specifically to use the Oct. 16, 2025 payroll date. Any portion of pay earned in FY25 that appears on the Oct. 16 check will be booked back to FY25.

The court voted in favor of the motion with no recorded opposition and directed staff to apply the same approach in future years to avoid repeated annual debates about payroll timing.

Court members and staff emphasized they would try to avoid creating confusion for employees: raises do not reduce pay already earned, and the change merely specifies which paycheck date triggers the new rate. The court also discussed longer-term payroll software or process changes that could handle split pay rates within a single check; no software action was approved at Tuesday’s meeting.","Commissioners voted to make fiscal-year 2026 pay increases effective on the Oct. 16, 2025 paycheck date so most new wages align with the new fiscal year; a small portion of pay earned in fiscal 2025 will be booked back to FY25.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court approves several personnel pay and benefits changes including COBRA vendor switch and conditional raises for victim advocates

Commissioners back distracted‑driver training for county vehicle operators

Commissioners vote to accept Purdue/Sackler settlement participation; county attorney to clarify allowable uses

Hardin County sets pay-raise effective date for fiscal 2026 payroll to Oct. 16