Citizens Committee Approves Sheriff Roe's $150K Salary and Recommends Judge Rowley's Raise

In a pivotal meeting on August 25, 2025, the Lubbock County Commissioners' Court approved significant salary increases for elected officials, following recommendations from a citizen grievance committee. The committee, composed of nine randomly selected citizens, unanimously endorsed Sheriff Kelly Roe's salary request of $150,000, which is now automatically included in the upcoming budget.

The committee's decision sparked discussions about the court's previous considerations to eliminate a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county employees, including sheriff's deputies. Many committee members expressed strong opposition to this idea, indicating a willingness to pay higher taxes to ensure county employees receive their necessary COLA.

Additionally, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Judge Susan Rowley's request for a $10,000 salary increase was approved with a 7 to 2 vote, raising her salary to $100,686. This recommendation will also be forwarded to the court for final approval.

The meeting highlighted tensions among commissioners regarding salary increases for elected officials amid budget constraints. Some members voiced concerns about the timing of these raises, especially given the county's financial challenges. One commissioner noted that had they known the budget situation better, they might have voted differently on the raises.

As the court moves forward, the implications of these salary adjustments will resonate throughout Lubbock County, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and the prioritization of employee compensation in the face of budgetary limitations.