Cameron County sets public notice on elected-official pay, approves judges’ supplement and 5% countywide raise

At its July meeting, the Cameron County Commissioners Court voted to publish a statutorily required notice listing maximum compensation levels the court will consider for elected officials and set a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025. The court directed staff to publish figures that equal 75% of the average salaries for similarly sized Texas counties.

The action follows staff presentations comparing Cameron County pay to statewide peer counties and a discussion with several local judges who asked the court to increase the county supplement paid to district judges. The court later approved increasing the county supplement for district judges from $18,000 to $25,000 and directed county budget staff to implement a 5% across-the-board salary increase for county employees in the FY2025–26 budget process.

Why it matters: Commissioners and judges said Cameron County elected officials and many county employees are paid well below peer counties and that incremental increases are intended to close that gap while limiting the immediate budget impact. County leaders emphasized this is a publication of the maximum the court may consider — not a final salary setting —…