Atascosa County commissioners approved a broad slate of personnel actions during a December commissioners court meeting, moving multiple current employees into promoted roles, approving new hires and confirming pay rates that take effect in early 2025.

Stephanie Brown of the public defender’s office presented the hire of Antonio Serna as an assistant public defender at an annual salary of $80,000 with a planned start date of Jan. 6, 2025; commissioners moved and approved the appointment. The court also confirmed several promotions and pay adjustments in the sheriff’s office, including moves to chief deputy, deputy chief, lieutenant investigative and administrative sergeant roles and specified tier-1 hourly rates and a $120-per-month uniform allowance for many positions. Sheriff Seier and Sheriff-elect Jake Garrett noted the listed fluctuating-hour schedules are currently 86 hours and may change to an 80-hour reference if a separate agenda item is approved. Commissioners instructed staff that any subsequent changes would automatically update related pay tables if the separate measure passes.

Other personnel actions approved included Veterans Office administrative assistant Violet Corona reaching her 90‑day milestone with an updated pay rate; rural development hires and promotions (including Nancy Apps as an administrative assistant and Victoria Davis as permit coordinator); road crew hires and transfers such as Christopher Herrera (precinct 1 blade operator) and Johnny Sanchez (transfer to precinct 2); and a new county worker CDL hire, Johnny A. West. Several corrections officers also received tier and pay-rate adjustments and continuing probation periods were noted where applicable.

Commissioners repeatedly asked staff to provide a clearer hourly breakdown and associated budget line items for the annual salaries that were approved as lump sums so those amounts align with payroll coding in the county budget.

The court moved, seconded and approved each personnel motion on the record; votes were taken by voice and the presiding official announced the motions carried. The court’s action sets most start dates on or about Jan. 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified by a presenting department.

Next steps: departments must submit corrected payroll line items and any follow-up forms required to implement changes in the county financial system.