Commissioners approve 3% salary increase for elected officials, cite retention concerns
Summary
The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved a 3% across-the-board increase for elected officials and previously discussed a 3% raise for county employees, citing competitiveness and staff retention as reasons for the increase.
The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court voted to approve a 3% salary increase for elected officials, mirroring a 3% across-the-board increase discussed for county employees. Commissioners said the increase is intended to keep county wages competitive with neighboring jurisdictions and to reduce turnover in departments including the sheriff—s office, road and bridge, the jail and other positions.
During the discussion, one commissioner described the raises as an investment to avoid turnover and training costs, saying the county had become more competitive with surrounding communities. Another commissioner said he was reluctant to raise pay but supported the motion after reviewing budget workshops and available funds.
The county judge and commissioners repeatedly noted that the raises had been discussed in multiple public budget workshops and advertised per statutory requirements. The motion passed after a second and a recorded vocal affirmation on the record.
Commissioners also rejected a larger 5% raise as unaffordable within the projected new revenue. Several speakers emphasized that the budget had been pared down and that new positions requested by department heads were added only after review during workshops.
The court instructed the auditor and department heads to implement the salary adjustments and to account for the changes in the modified budget adopted this session.
