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Judge: new state stipend for master-certified officers will cost county retirement contributions; appraisal values delay FY26 proposal
Summary
County officials briefed the Hardin County Commissioners Court on the FY2026 budget timeline and a new state stipend that will pay $6,500 to qualifying master-certified peace officers but will require the county to pay employer retirement and other benefits costs.
Hardin County officials told the commissioners court they will try to include a new one-time stipend for master-certified peace officers in the FY2026 proposed budget, but county staff warned the state program will create additional county retirement and supplemental-death costs. At the July 22 meeting, county staff said the state-authorized stipend is $6,500 per qualifying officer and that the stipend money is to be routed through the employing agency so retirement withholding and employer retirement contributions apply. The county's benefits staff estimated roughly 19 to 20 employees might qualify, and that the county's portion of retirement for those…
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