Commissioners Approve 2% COLA and Merit Raises for County Auditor Staff

The Williamson County Commissioners Court held a regular session on August 19, 2025, where several key financial decisions were made regarding employee salaries and budget allocations.

One of the primary discussions centered around salary adjustments for county employees, particularly the county auditor's staff and district court reporters. The court approved a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the county auditor's staff, in addition to a previously funded 2% merit increase. This motion passed unanimously. The county auditor's salary was also set to increase by 5%, with the court clarifying that any salary adjustments exceeding budgeted amounts would require further approval.

The court also addressed the salaries of district court reporters, approving a 3% increase, which was also unanimously supported. This decision was made in light of ongoing discussions about the need for competitive salaries to retain qualified personnel.

A significant point of contention arose regarding a proposed 2% COLA for all civilian employees under the court's purview. While some commissioners supported this motion, emphasizing the importance of providing fair compensation, others expressed concerns about its impact on the budget and the need to prioritize lower-paid employees. Ultimately, the motion passed with a vote of 3-2, with dissenting commissioners advocating for a different approach that would better support lower-income staff.

The court also discussed the sustainability of salary increases, particularly for law enforcement personnel. A motion to provide an additional 2% raise for law enforcement was not approved, with some commissioners arguing that the department had already received significant raises in recent years. The discussion highlighted the need for a balanced approach to compensation that considers both employee needs and budgetary constraints.

In addition to salary discussions, the court approved the rollover of $4 million for vehicle purchases that had not been fulfilled in the current budget year, ensuring that necessary resources would be available for future needs.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the Williamson County Commissioners Court in balancing employee compensation with fiscal responsibility, as they navigate the complexities of budget management and workforce retention.