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Justice of the Peace urges countywide salary study and interim cost‑of‑living adjustments for clerks
Summary
At budget hearings a justice of the peace asked the commissioners court to authorize a countywide salary study and interim cost‑of‑living steps to retain clerks who are leaving for higher‑paying county offices.
A Justice of the Peace (JP 1) told Cooke County commissioners that county pay disparities are harming retention of clerical staff and asked the court to fund a countywide salary study and to consider interim cost‑of‑living adjustments while a plan is developed.
The JP said his general budget “mirrors last year. No change whatsoever,” but raised concerns that clerks handling cash, confidential matters and deputy clerk duties receive significantly higher pay in other departments. He said the county’s pay structure had led to turnover: “I personally have lost a clerk to that difference…from your office to the sheriff’s office.”
“Salary study does need to be done and a plan needs to be formulated to address that situation,” the JP said. He asked the court to “put some effort and and some backing into a salary study” and to maintain cost‑of‑living adjustments until the study is completed. Court members acknowledged the request; one commissioner said he took the remarks to heart and thanked the JP for raising retention concerns.
No formal action or funding decision was taken during the hearing; the request was entered into budget deliberations for follow‑up.
