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San Patricio commissioners review pay‑raise scenarios and vesting change as budget talks continue
Summary
County staff presented cost estimates for changing retirement vesting from 10 to 8 years and several cost‑of‑living / tiered pay scenarios. Commissioners debated thresholds and proposed focusing larger increases on lower wage employees; final budget decisions were deferred to the next meeting.
County staff briefed the San Patricio Commissioners Court on July 28 on salary and benefit scenarios under consideration for the proposed 2026 budget, including the cost to change retirement plan vesting and several cost‑of‑living and tiered pay options.
Staff reported that moving vesting with TCDRS (Texas County & District Retirement System) from a 10‑year to an 8‑year vesting period would cost about $177,000 under current payroll. The county administrator also presented several COLA and tiered scenarios: a county‑wide 3% COLA across the board (excluding elected officials) estimated at about $848,000; a tiered option giving 5% to employees earning about $50,999 and below and 3% to the remainder (estimated total cost about $941,009); and an alternative tier that applies 5% to employees earning up to about $65,999 and 3% to higher earners (estimated total cost about $1,075,705).
Court discussion focused on equity and fiscal targeting. One commissioner suggested concentrating pay increases on lower‑paid employees and excluding higher earners (comments referenced thresholds ranging from about $90,000 to $100,000). Another commissioner emphasized the difference between a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA), which should be countywide and tied to inflation, and a separate pay‑adjustment targeted at lower earners.
Staff said insurance premium estimates are still incoming and that the county portion of insurance is being held at approximately $11,000 while employee contributions could rise depending on final insurer numbers; updated figures were expected from the insurer the following day.
No final votes were taken on COLA or vesting changes; the court agreed to finalize budget decisions at the next scheduled meeting. Staff was directed to prepare documentation and a clear list of proposed new positions and to provide final cost figures for the commissioners to review prior to a vote.
