Williamson County District Attorney Sean Dix Appeals Salary Cut Before Commissioners Court

The Williamson County Salary Grievance Hearing convened on August 15, 2025, to address a grievance filed by District Attorney Sean Dix regarding a significant reduction in his salary supplement. The meeting began with a review of the agenda, focusing on the implications of the salary cut imposed by the Williamson County Commissioners Court.

Bridget Chapman, a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office, was the first to provide public comments. She highlighted a memo from County Judge Snell, which notified District Attorney Dix of a $27,000 decrease in his county salary supplement, reducing it from $52,000 to $25,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. This salary supplement is a crucial part of the District Attorney's overall compensation, which also includes a base salary from the state.

Chapman presented several documents to the committee, including a letter from District Attorney Dix expressing his intention to appeal the salary cut to the grievance committee. She emphasized that the salary adjustments were made without prior notice or discussion with Dix, contrasting his situation with other elected officials who received salary increases.

The discussion included a chart comparing the salary supplements of district attorneys across various counties, illustrating that the proposed $25,000 supplement for Dix is significantly lower than the median salary of $77,791 for district attorneys in similar positions. Chapman urged the committee to consider these factors in their deliberations.

The hearing underscored the contentious nature of salary decisions for elected officials and the importance of transparency and communication in the budgeting process. As the committee prepares to deliberate on the grievance, the outcome could have significant implications for the District Attorney's office and its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Further discussions and decisions are expected in the coming weeks as the committee evaluates the evidence presented.