Commissioners approve converting part-time tax office clerk to full time at 7 Point substation, 4-1

Henderson County Commissioners Court approved 4–1 a request from the tax assessor-collector to convert a part-time deputy clerk at the 7 Point substation to a full-time deputy clerk at pay grade 170, step 1, at an annual salary of $37,368.

The tax assessor-collector told the court the 7 Point location has increased workload and will be required by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to have a clerk process "web dealer" transactions at each location. "That means that at least one clerk needs to be dedicated at least to an hour every morning to process these web dealer transactions," the assessor said, noting lines and long waits at the substation. The assessor said the office will hold license plates and stickers at the office and that dealers submit paperwork online; county staff must review and issue stickers and plates.

Commissioners discussed funding sources for the position and turnover challenges in the department. One commissioner said he planned to cover the salary from the health insurance line and noted the office has had trouble retaining employees. Commissioners Tooley and Spivey discussed local dealer volume and how some dealerships from neighboring counties process through county offices.

Commissioner Spivey moved to approve the staffing change; Commissioner Tooley seconded. The motion passed 4–1. The transcript records the vote as "Passes four-one" but does not identify which commissioner voted no.