Commissioners approve pay-grade increase for development office position over one dissent

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Commissioners Court approved a pay‑grade adjustment for a Development Office position on a 4‑1 vote after staff told the court the employee has acquired the skills and experience required to perform more independently.

Court members voted to move the position FP‑3 from pay grade 205, step 1, to pay grade 272, step 1. Commissioner McCam made the motion and Commissioner Richardson seconded it; the motion passed four‑to‑one.

County staff presented the request to the court, saying the employee had become proficient in site visits, communications and office procedures and has been serving as backup in the field. Staff said the employee will pursue online certification this year. Commissioners asked how the pay adjustment would be funded and whether the county’s fuel and vehicle budgets could support an additional vehicle in the Development Office; staff replied that fuel is currently budgeted at $3,000 and that final fuel usage figures from last year were not yet available.

Commissioners discussed the position during budget deliberations last year and declined a larger increase at that time. One commissioner said the employee now “meets my expectations” for the role and argued the pay grade aligns the position with other county field staff who travel as part of their duties.

The court recorded no amendment to the motion. The county judge called for the vote after brief discussion and the pay‑grade change passed with one commissioner voting no. No effective date or specific dollar amounts beyond the pay grades and steps were specified in the discussion recorded in the transcript.

The judge closed the item and the court moved on to other business.