Grimes County approves DPS reclassification and three hires, effective late June and July

The Grimes County Commissioners Court on June 28 approved reclassifying a county employee to an exempt supervisory role overseeing Department of Public Safety (DPS) staff and authorized two new hires to support DPS services.

The court voted to reclassify Sherry Wagner from an A-5 to an L-2 exempt position with supervisory responsibility for county employees assigned to the DPS office, and to set her new base pay at $31.25 per hour (annualized to $65,000), effective June 28, 2025. The court also approved hiring a senior administrative assistant (A-4) at a maximum of $22 per hour and a lead office assistant (A-3) for driver's license renewal at a starting range of $18 to not exceed $20 per hour; both new hires were slated to begin with the July 12, 2025 payroll (pay period 8-1).

Why it matters: The actions change payroll classifications and add staff to the county’s DPS operations, including personnel specifically assigned to driver’s license renewal services. The court authorized county human resources and the auditor’s office to make necessary payroll adjustments to implement the hires.

Details of the votes and motions: The transcript records a motion to reclassify Wagner and set her salary; later in the meeting the court recorded approval of agenda item 31(a) (the reclassification) by Commissioner Chad Mallard, seconded by Commissioner David Tullis. Agenda item 31(b), the senior administrative assistant hire, was moved and seconded on the record and approved by voice vote; the transcript records Commissioners Mallard and Tullis explicitly answering “Yes” when called. Agenda item 31(c), hiring the lead office assistant for DPS and authorizing HR and auditors to make adjustments, was moved by Commissioner Philip Cox and seconded by Commissioner David Tullis; the motion carried by voice vote.

Discussion versus decision: The transcript shows the court conducted the motions and took formal action on the three personnel items. Questions on implementation were minimal; one commissioner asked whether DPS would be informed of the actions, and the court confirmed DPS would be notified. The transcript does not record additional conditions or contingencies tied to the hires or the reclassification beyond the effective/start dates and authorization for HR/auditor adjustments.

What was not specified: The transcript does not provide the names of the employee candidates for the two new hires, the full job descriptions beyond classification and pay ranges, or which specific county employees (if any) would be reassigned to report to Wagner. Funding sources or budget line items for these positions were not specified in the remarks on the record.

Looking ahead: The motions were recorded as approved and the court adjourned after completing the personnel items.