Cameron County approves pay increases, orders review of health stop‑loss after spikes in high medical claims

Cameron County Judge and commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a package of personnel and budget steps that includes a 5% across‑the‑board pay increase for county employees and adoption of a five‑year plan to raise elected‑official compensation toward the regional average, and they directed staff to solicit competitive bids after a proposed increase to the county's stop‑loss insurance.

The moves came amid public comment from county law enforcement unions pressing for higher, competitive wages and better leave and holiday pay policies; county staff and outside benefits advisers told the court that several very large medical claims had driven the stop‑loss carrier's renewal proposal higher.

The pay increases and the administration's budget outline matter because they affect retention of deputies, jailers and other public‑safety staff while also shaping the county's near‑term spending needs. Commissioners also agreed they would not increase the tax rate above the current level as they finalize the fiscal 2025–26 budget.

Public comment set the tone for the day. Steve Ayala, South Texas representative for the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, said the county faces recruitment and retention pressures and asked elected leaders to respond with "meaningful actions." Hugo Salinas Jr., president of the Cameron County Sheriff's Deputies Association, told the court, "This isn't about a paycheck. This is about fairness, competitiveness, and long term health for the department." Mario Verano, treasurer of the deputies association, said the office had lost experienced staff and that "if our people don't stay, the system cannot serve its purpose."

Budget presentation and decisions County staff presented a draft fiscal 2025–26 budget showing the impact of the already…