Anderson County commissioners set court reporter pay at $90,000, approve plats, grants and equipment purchases

The Anderson County Commissioners Court voted to set the county court-at-law court reporter's salary at $90,000 and approved related budget amendments, approved preliminary and final plats and several land-use agreements, authorized grant applications, and declared multiple county vehicles and equipment surplus during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The court approved the salary change for the county court reporter with an effective date of March 3 and passed two budget amendments (listed in the meeting as numbers 11 and 12) to fund the increase. Judge McKinney opened the item and the motion carried after a second from Commissioner Hill. "I'll entertain a motion to approve setting the court reporter salary in the county court at law at, 90,000 and approve a budget amendment. It's number 11 and 12 to fund that change in the budget," the judge said while presenting the item. Auditor Megan confirmed the change would come from contingency: "Yes, sir. And it will come from the contingency fund."

Why it matters: the change raises the advertised pay to compete with neighboring jurisdictions and required the court to authorize budget adjustments to cover the increase.

The court also spent substantial time on fleet and equipment planning for the sheriff's office. Commissioners discussed recent vehicle purchases, outfitting costs and insurance proceeds for a patrol vehicle declared a total loss. County staff reported vehicle invoices near the earlier estimate and that outfitting each vehicle was estimated at about $10,000, creating an approximate $20,000 shortfall against the current capital-outlay line for the five-vehicle purchase. The county expects an insurance payment of about $36,785 for one totaled pickup; the auditor said the court would certify and present a budget amendment when the check is received. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with outfitting planning and to evaluate alternatives such as full-size SUVs (Tahoes) for some…