Williamson County delays across‑the‑board raise; approves targeted hires and sets aside $500,000 for regional water study

Williamson County Commissioners on Monday paused consideration of a proposed 2% cost‑of‑living increase for civilian employees and asked staff to return next week with alternative options and more data.

“I'm perfectly happy with withdrawing my motion,” Commissioner Covey said during a long budget workshop discussion, after colleagues raised concerns that a flat 2% increase would disproportionately favor higher‑paid employees and might worsen pay compression. Commissioners asked Human Resources to provide targeted alternatives — including lump‑sum payments to lower‑paid workers — and to model budget impacts before a final vote.

While the court delayed a decision on a general COLA, members approved several personnel and budget changes tied to the FY2026 draft. The court voted 5–0 to add a Preparedness and Mitigation Specialist in the Office of Emergency Management, with commissioners instructing staff to reduce nonessential cubicle expenditures and identify space before hiring. Commissioners also approved an Information Technology criminal‑justice analyst post (funded by a $101,000 reduction in IT professional services) and added a ballot‑by‑mail coordinator to Elections for $67,150 (motion approved 4–1). A slot for Constable Precinct 1 was approved 4–1 to address an increased writs workload; commissioners noted the precinct’s eviction and writ volume justified additional staff.

“People need increases to their salaries,” Commissioner Cook said, arguing the county has given sizable cumulative raises over recent years and risks losing staff without action. Other commissioners stressed boots‑on‑the‑ground data and asked for additional modeling to show how a proposal would affect retirement and long‑term costs.

On capital planning, commissioners approved placing $500,000 into fund 409 to support a county‑led water supply study to develop a regional, long‑term (50‑year) water strategy in coordination with area cities and regional authorities. The court described the allocation as a reserve to be used after further scoping and partner commitments, not immediate construction funding; the motion to set the funds aside carried 5–0. Commissioners said the study would focus on whether and how Williamson County could coordinate city efforts, conservation and state resources, and explained that detailed scopes and partner agreements would return to the court for approval.

The court also approved several Road & Bridge planning items, including an additional $4 million for State Highway 95 corridor planning tied specifically to right‑of‑way and alignment work, and a $5 million increase in long‑range transportation planning (LRTP) funds. Commissioners and staff said the money is intended to finance engineering and corridor studies to protect future rights‑of‑way as development proceeds.

The court repeatedly emphasized that personnel changes approved at the workshop were tied to the draft budget and that final appropriations and pay policy updates would be considered in subsequent meetings after HR and budget staff deliver requested analyses.