Justice of the Peace asks for COLA, clerk merit pay and modest technology funds

A justice of the peace (presented as a JP office speaker in the June 2025 Lubbock County budget workshop) asked the commissioners to include a cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff, merit raises for two clerks who stayed on through a recent transition, and modest technology and training dollars.

The presenter said civil case filings in the JP office have increased by about 30% and that the office is attempting to handle the workload without additional employees. Specific budget requests mentioned included a $1,500 technology line and $500 from the general fund for training, $550 for law‑book updates, and two blanket purchase orders (office supplies and data services). The speaker also asked for merit raises for two clerks who remained after the prior judge left and for funding to allow clerks to attend training conferences when possible.

Commissioners and staff asked follow‑up questions about whether hard‑copy law books were needed versus subscriptions and about the size of the office staff; the JP said the office has four clerks plus the judge and described staggered tenures (one clerk started full time in the most recent month, others with multiple years of service).

Why it matters: The JP budget request was modest and largely aimed at preserving routine office operations and training amid rising civil filings. The request also reinforced commissioners’ broader consideration of a countywide COLA and merit programs for employees.

What remains open: Commissioners did not take immediate formal action; the JP’s requests were entered as part of the departmental budget submissions to be considered in the overall FY‑26 budget process.