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 approved 5% across‑the‑board increase and additional proposals for law‑enforcement pay. Administration told the court it had worked from a five‑year plan comparing Cameron County salaries to peer Texas counties and proposed a phased approach to reach 75% of the regional average by fiscal 2029.

During discussion the judge and commissioners emphasized the county's effort to balance pay increases with limits on the tax rate. The judge said the county's current rate (reported in the meeting as 42.4268 cents per $100 of assessed value) remains among the lowest of the larger jurisdictions in the Valley and that the court had reduced the rate earlier in his tenure. Commissioners voted that the court would not seek a tax rate above the current rate during the budget process.

Health insurance and stop‑loss spike Benefits advisers told the court the county's health plan has had a recent string of large claims. Roger Godeson of Valley Risk Consulting said the renewal proposal from Aetna included roughly a $600,000 increase to the stop‑loss premium and that eight members had exceeded the county's $250,000 stop‑loss attachment point; staff reported about $1.2 million in out‑of‑pocket charges tied to those overages so far this year.

Godeson recommended issuing an expedited RFP to seek competitive stop‑loss quotes before the Oct. 1 effective date; commissioners directed administration to begin that procurement so results could be returned before mid‑September. County staff said stop‑loss premium changes were not yet built into the draft budget and noted the health fund is currently running at a deficit compared with the surplus at the prior fiscal year end.

Jail capacity, overtime and recruitment Sheriff's office leaders and other presenters told the court retention remains a key issue. Command staff said jail population pressures have risen after the county lost approximately 200 beds when a detention unit closed; one commander said the county currently holds roughly 1,551 inmates and estimated about 35% of those are state inmates who may remain in county custody while awaiting transfer.

Commissioners and the sheriff's leadership discussed tradeoffs between hiring new positions and using funds for pay increases. Sheriff's office and constable leaders urged that any additional law‑enforcement increase be applied broadly to deputies, jailers and dispatch staff; a constable said the additional 5% being discussed was needed to slow turnover to municipalities and smaller agencies offering higher pay.

Other budget items discussed - Parks: County parks staff sought new positions to staff Olmito and Santa Maria parks; administration said some temporary reassignments could be used and cautioned that Isla Blanca Park renovations will draw on fund balances this year. - Revenues and claims: Lead internal auditor Jose Blanco told the court the claims packet included general claims totaling $9,924,072.18, medical claims of $724,609 and estimated upcoming payroll of about $5,162,909 gross (net $2,738,722), figures the court approved as part of the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve consent agenda and remaining consent items: approved (mover: Commissioner Garza; second: Commissioner Lopez). Includes approval of vendor selection below. - Award contract for removal/install of data drops, HDML cameras and access controls at 130 Williams Road, San Benito: recommended vendor American Surveillance (vendor offered 26 cameras; other bids offered 18 and 24); motion approved as part of consent agenda. (Details in consent backup.) - Approval of claims totaling the amounts above: approved; Commissioner Benavides recorded an abstention on warrant 00583601. - Authorization to remove fence encroaching on county right of way at 6813 Royal Palm Drive (sidewalk project): motion approved. - Set elected officials' proposed compensation as advertised (five‑year, 75% phased plan to reach 75% of peer average by FY2029): motion approved after public hearing. - Direction that the county will not set a tax rate above the current tax rate (no additional public hearing required under the presented scenario): motion approved. - Approve proposed toll fare changes for the Cameron County International Bridge System (passenger vehicles and motorcycles from $4 to $5 and a $250 northbound special crossing fee for oversized loads): approved; effective date set for Sept. 1, 2025. - Authorize Cameron County Elections Administrator to complete voter‑registration conversion application (executive session action): approved.

What comes next Staff will run an expedited RFP process for stop‑loss insurance with results expected before mid‑September so the county can decide whether to change carriers or negotiate terms before the Oct. 1 renewal. The court asked administration to return with updated budget numbers that reflect any stop‑loss premium changes before final adoption of the fiscal 2025–26 budget. Commissioners also left open further consideration of additional law‑enforcement pay steps while directing staff to prepare final budget documents for the next scheduled meetings.

The meeting record shows the court attempted to balance immediate retention needs in public safety with fiscal constraints and heightened health‑insurance costs; administration will return specific procurement and budget adjustments for the court to consider before budget adoption.