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Jefferson County leaders direct 3% pay raise, expand longevity benefits and set tax‑rate guidance
Summary
At a budget workshop commissioners directed staff to build a FY budget that includes a 3% across‑the‑board pay increase, doubling longevity to a 25‑year max, several reclassifications and targeted capital items; staff was asked to present a slight tax‑rate reduction of 0.357 for public hearing.
County staff presented a draft fiscal‑year budget at a Jefferson County Commissioners Court workshop and commissioners gave direction to staff to shape the final proposal around several personnel and capital decisions. Speaker 2, the primary staff presenter, said about $3,300,000 had been cut from the initial budget request and identified large one‑time capital items including purchasing one plane this year and replacing a boiler at Ford Park.
The court directed staff to include a 3% across‑the‑board pay increase for county employees (Speaker 2: “We're doing a 3% across the board.”) and to expand longevity pay. Staff described a proposal to double longevity to $150 per year of service and extend the maximum from 20 to 25 years; staff noted the change would increase retirement costs, and commissioners discussed retention benefits versus fiscal impacts. Speaker 2 summarized the guidance: “We're doing a 3% across the board. We're gonna double longevity, up to a 25 year max.”
Commissioners also gave guidance on capital and operating items: they kept funding for district clerk workstations and approved a $1,500 tablet for environmental permitting after MIS indicated in‑house capabilities, removed funding for a mosquito‑control tracking system this year, and agreed to fund Fort Park Wi‑Fi. The court placed an asphalt‑oil tank purchase in contingency pending formal quotes. Staff was directed to prepare agenda items and public notices for required hearings.
On property taxes, staff presented tax‑rate calculations showing the current rate was above the no‑new‑revenue benchmark but below the voter‑approved cap. Commissioners discussed several rate options and supported preparing a public hearing using a slightly reduced rate of 0.357; staff said that lowering to 0.357 would decrease revenue modestly (the presenter estimated a reduction of a little over $200,000). Speaker 2 noted staff would provide precise calculations for commissioner review.
The workshop produced consensus direction rather than a formal roll‑call vote. Staff will prepare the formal budget agenda and the public hearing on the tax rate for a future commissioners court meeting.
