County Commissioners Approve FY 2026 Budget and Salaries After Review

Hays County officials have taken significant steps in their latest meeting, focusing on budget adjustments and salary discussions for elected officials. The meeting, held on August 19, 2025, highlighted a critical request for salary increases from the county treasurer, which sparked a broader conversation about compensation for all elected positions.

During the session, the county treasurer's request for a salary increase was deemed modest, prompting discussions on how to address the pay for all elected officials holistically. The treasurer's current salary is reportedly 13% below the market average, with other positions like county commissioners and judges also falling significantly behind. The county commissioners agreed to maintain a 3% salary increase across the board for all elected officials, including the treasurer, rather than addressing her request separately.

In addition to salary discussions, the meeting also covered budget adjustments, including reallocating funds for various services. A proposal to fund a new recycling and solid waste technician was approved, with the funding sourced from the building maintenance budget.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which includes a tax rate set at 3.3999 cents. This budget aims to balance the county's financial needs while addressing the compensation concerns raised by elected officials.

As Hays County moves forward, the decisions made in this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the county's financial landscape and ensuring that elected officials are compensated fairly in line with market standards.