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Court approves several personnel pay and benefits changes including COBRA vendor switch and conditional raises for victim advocates
Summary
Hardin County Commissioners Court approved a switch to Willis Towers Watson for COBRA administration, authorized TAC benefit agreements, conditionally approved $1/hour raises for four victim advocates pending grant awards, and raised the grand‑jury bailiff fee to $350 per session.
Hardin County Commissioners Court approved several personnel and benefits items Tuesday, including a change in the county’s COBRA administrator, routine insurance renewals with the Texas Association of Counties (TAC), conditional pay increases for crime‑victim advocates pending grant awards, and an immediate increase to the grand jury bailiff per‑session pay.
Human Resources Director Melinda Harrington recommended switching Hardin County’s COBRA administration from WageWorks to Willis Towers Watson Benefit Connect, saying Willis Towers Watson would reduce county notification costs and administrative effort because TAC would send COBRA notices directly. Commissioners approved the change by voice vote.
The court also authorized the county judge to sign an interlocal agreement with the Association of Counties for health and employee benefits services and approved the county’s 02/2026 renewal notice and benefits confirmation for health, dental, vision and life insurance through TAC. The county reported a 7.2% increase in health insurance rates and a 13% increase in dental; the county had budgeted slightly higher and therefore came in under the estimate.
On personnel pay, Judge Steve Thomas (356th Judicial District) asked the court to increase the grand‑jury bailiff fee from $250 per grand‑jury session to $350 effective immediately; commissioners approved the request by voice vote. The judge noted reductions in the number of sessions and said the requested increase would not require a budget amendment to FY25 or FY26.
The court conditionally approved a $1‑per‑hour increase for four crime victim advocate positions at the Hardin County Grama Victims Assistance Center, subject to state grant approvals. Lisa Brocker, director of the victims assistance center, explained the raises would recognize required certification and continuing‑education efforts; the pay increase was described as being in addition to the previously budgeted 3% raise only if grant awards authorize the change. Commissioners asked to be notified when grant awards are finalized; staff said they will notify the court upon award and that the increases would take effect Oct. 1 or later if approved by the grantor.
All motions on these items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
