Atascosa County commissioners approve series of personnel hires, promotions and probation acknowledgements

Atascosa County Commissioners Court on May 27 approved a slate of personnel actions across several departments, including new hires, pay-tier increases and acknowledgements of completed probationary periods.

The court unanimously approved a new administrative assistant in the District Attorney—s office, listed in the minutes as "Genoviva re Regina Bridal," with an annual pay rate of $36,100 and a start date of May 27, pending physical and drug testing. District Attorney Audrey Lewis presented the item.

The court approved multiple sheriff—s office personnel actions: hiring Matthew Garcia as a corrections officer at $23.44 hourly, approving Jared Fuentes as a corrections officer at $24.36 hourly with a June 9 start date, and promoting several existing employees to higher pay tiers after completion of probation. The sheriff characterized the actions as steps to "fill empty spots" and move staff to top-tier pay as they completed required probation periods.

Other personnel actions included pay increases for road crew employees Joe Turley and Carl Harless and an administrative acknowledgement from the county attorney—s office that Monica Gihn (victim assistance coordinator) completed the county—s 90-day probationary period. Auditor Tracy Barrera and County Attorney Molly Solis presented and clarified several of the probation and salary entries.

Each personnel item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the minutes record motions made by Commissioners Gillespie, Pavelic, Riley and Bowen and consistent "motion carries" outcomes.

Why it matters: staffing and pay-tier changes affect county operations from public safety to road maintenance and reflect the commissioners— routine personnel oversight and budget impacts.

What happened next: the court moved on to other agenda items after approving the personnel slate.