Commissioners approve 3% across-the-board raise as budget season opens

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court voted to propose a 3% salary increase for all elected county and precinct officials and for county employees, formalizing a recommendation from a recent workshop. The court chair said the 3% proposal will be included in the proposed county budget to be posted by the end of the day; commissioners noted the proposal is preliminary because the appraisal district had only recently provided property values and the district has not delivered tax-rate proposals. The judge and staff outlined the statutory schedule the court must follow: the commissioners will publish a proposed budget, hold a public hearing on the budget, consider a proposed tax rate on Aug. 13, hold a grievance hearing on Aug. 22 for any elected officials who wish to contest their salary allocation, and then hold a public hearing and take final action on the budget and tax rate on Sept. 10. The 3% increase was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Commissioners and staff emphasized the proposal is part of an iterative budget process and that the court will return with amendments once the appraisal district provides tax-rate information. County leaders said the schedule is likely to include additional workshops and adjustments as revenue estimates are refined.