San Patricio County panel recommends $66,000 for constables after denying $73,000 requests

San Patricio County’s salary grievance committee on Monday denied six constables’ requests to raise their annual pay to $73,000 and recommended instead a uniform $66,000 salary, a move the committee will forward to the county—s Commissioners Court for final approval.

The matter brought multiple constables to the annex to explain duties and workloads. "The amount asked for will bring our salaries up to 73,000," Constable Steve Hutchins of Precinct 1 said during his presentation, explaining he had taken office Jan. 1, 2025, and that his office serves civil and criminal papers, conducts magistrations and assists other county law enforcement as needed.

A nut graf: Committee members emphasized fiscal constraints while acknowledging the constables— increased activity and public-service work. One committee member pointed out that the "statewide average salary for constables in Texas is $66,000," and the panel ultimately moved to set the constables— recommended salary at that level and to transmit the recommendation to Commissioners Court,…