Waller County budget workshop trims 75 position requests, recommends 3% cost-of-living increase

At a budget workshop, the Waller County Commissioners Court reviewed a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that cut an initial request for 75 new positions down to 40 full‑time and eight part‑time slots and recommended a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for county employees.

County Judge Willie opened the workshop by describing the review process and the scale of requests. “We had requests for 75 new positions. 75 — let that sink in for 75 new positions,” Judge Willie said, noting the county currently employs about 420 people. Robert, a county budget staff member at the podium, told the court the committee had pared that number to 40 full‑time and eight part‑time positions after deliberations.

The committee summarized major budget changes and priorities. About half of the approved new positions are allocated to the sheriff’s office — 20 positions in total — with three for courthouse security, 11 in administration and patrol, and six in dispatch. Robert said the sheriff’s administrative budget increase is roughly $2,100,000. Road and Bridge is slated to receive five new employees and an increase of about $1,550,000, with road materials and bridge funding also increased.

Other line‑item changes include procurement being broken out as its own budget line and an additional staff position for the procurement office. Each constable’s office will receive $6,000 in certification pay and an increase in part‑time pay that will bring some constable offices’ part‑time salary lines to about $50,000. The committee is also recommending a 3% cola across the board, with some targeted pay adjustments in specific areas.

Budget requests submitted by departments totaled roughly $12 million, the court was told. Judge Willie and budget staff discussed the county’s revenue constraints: the county can raise its maintenance‑and‑operations tax levy up to 3.5% without voter approval, a statutory cap the court said limits flexibility. Robert later stated the county’s expected new revenue from new value would be about $5.8 million; earlier in the workshop budget staff cited a tax base (new value) figure of roughly $1.2 billion as the underlying new taxable value.

The court also discussed grants and one‑time funding. Budget staff said most previously grant‑funded salary lines had not rolled onto the general budget this year, though about 22 positions — roughly $500,000 — were identified as coming off grant funding in prior years and require ongoing funding decisions. The committee said it attempted to stair‑step ARPA and other one‑time funds over three to four years to avoid sudden shortfalls.

The court did not adopt a final budget at the workshop. Judge Willie said the court would set the proposed budget and tax rate at its regular meeting and post notices ahead of a formal vote scheduled for Sept. 17.

Ending: County officials said they aim to balance department needs against limited revenue and legal caps on tax increases. The court will reconvene to set the proposed budget and tax rate and to post required notices before the September vote.