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, which may accept, modify or decline it.

Committee discussion, context and votes Committee members questioned whether the requested increases were negotiable and whether elected officials would receive an across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Constables repeatedly said they often work without deputies or administrative staff and perform duties beyond serving papers, including truancy follow-ups, mental-health transports and aiding sheriff—s office operations.

Frank Cantu, constable for Precinct 2, told the committee his office covers many county road miles and that "we—re constantly out there trying to get it done," describing repeated trips to serve evictions and other civil process. "My precinct every year generates the most revenue," Constable Cody Ferranton (Precinct 6) said, describing civil fees his office collects and noting his office handles mental-health warrants and a county dive team response.

Committee members noted prior pay adjustments for some elected positions and expressed caution given the county—s budget constraints. One committee member summarized the budget context by saying the committee had discussed a 4% COLA for county employees during the budget process; the COLA and the constables— separate salary recommendations were handled as distinct items.

Votes at a glance - Precinct 1 (Constable Steve Hutchins, agenda item 2.3A): committee denied the $73,000 request and voted to recommend an annual salary of $66,000 (8-0 vote). The recommendation goes to Commissioners Court. - Precinct 2 (Constable Frank Cantu, agenda item 2.3B): denied $73,000; recommended $66,000 (8-0 vote). - Precinct 4 (Constable Paul Good, agenda item 2.3C): denied the requested increase; recommended $66,000 (8-0 vote). - Precinct 5 (Constable, name not specified in transcript, agenda item 2.3D): denied the requested increase; recommended $66,000 (8-0 vote). - Precinct 6 (Constable Cody Ferranton, agenda item 2.3E): denied the requested increase; recommended $66,000 (8-0 vote). - Precinct 8 (Constable James Easley, agenda item 2.3F): denied the requested increase; recommended $66,000 (8-0 vote).

What the committee recommended and next steps The committee—s formal recommendation is advisory: Commissioners Court must take final action. A committee member explained the committee—s recommendation will be presented at the next Commissioners Court meeting; the court "can accept it, add to it, but cannot take anything away," the committee chair said during the hearing.

Why it matters Constables described being the county—s point people for civil process, truancy enforcement, mental-health warrant execution and ad hoc public-safety tasks in precincts that differ widely in population and geography. Committee members balanced those operational accounts against countywide budget pressures and prior salary adjustments for other elected officials.

Ending The committee adjourned after voting on each precinct individually. Commissioners Court will consider the panel—s recommendation at its next meeting; the transcript records the recommendation as an 8-0 vote in favor of $66,000 for each constable whose case was heard.