Erath County commissioners used their Aug. 11 budget workshop to review payroll scenarios and give staff direction for a proposed budget to be posted Aug. 15.

County finance staff presented scenarios showing the fiscal impact of 2%, 3% and 5% pay increases and higher health insurance projections. Commissioners discussed trade-offs between across-the-board raises and targeted supplements for public-safety employees.

Commissioner discussion centered on competition with neighboring jurisdictions for law-enforcement and EMS personnel, the county’s limited property tax capacity and the effect of rising health-insurance costs. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a proposal that models a 3% across-the-board increase, with 5% for law enforcement and EMS, and to include longevity and lateral-hire options in the scenarios.

No formal vote was taken; the session was a workshop and staff will return with a proposed budget for formal action. County staff noted the filing deadline for the proposed budget is Aug. 15 and the new state posting requirements that take effect Sept. 1 will require earlier internal deadlines for agenda items.

Ending: Staff will prepare the numerical scenarios agreed on by the court and bring them back for formal consideration at upcoming meetings.