The Atascosa County Commissioners Court on Dec. 30 approved a series of personnel actions, including confirmation of an administrative assistant in the district attorney's office, the hiring of a new animal control officer, pay-correction for EMS staff who completed paramedic training, and the appointment of a deputy sheriff.

District Attorney Audrey Lewis asked the court to confirm Renee Williams as an administrative assistant at an annual salary of $40,000, effective Jan. 1, and said the appointment was within the current budget line. "This is a current employee who's passed her probationary period," Lewis said. Commissioner Gillespie moved to approve the appointment and Commissioner Pettis seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

Sarah Reen presented a new-hire request for Santo Greenwood as an animal control officer with a $42,000 annual salary and a Jan. 6, 2025 start date; Reen confirmed physical and drug tests were complete. Commissioner Gillespie moved to approve the hire; Commissioner Bowen seconded and the court approved the motion.

Courtney Greer explained pay corrections for two EMS employees who completed paramedic school and were performing paramedic duties. "They did complete paramedic school and received their certification," Greer said, asking the court to correct their classifications and pay effective Dec. 30, 2024. Motions to approve corrections for Christopher Lewis and for Hannah (listed variously in the record as Tahneman/Tommen) were moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Sheriff David Sauer presented a personnel item to hire Ashley Veil as a deputy sheriff (tier 2 pay, hourly rate stated in the agenda, with a uniform allowance and probation periods). The sheriff confirmed required physical and drug testing was complete and that the sheriff-elect would have the new deputy on staff in January. Commissioner Gillespie moved to approve the hire; Commissioner Perez seconded and the motion carried.

Votes and procedural notes: all personnel actions were approved by voice vote after motions and seconds were recorded on the public record. No roll-call tallies were given in the transcript.

What happens next: the approved hires advance to the stated start dates and the EMS pay corrections were recorded as classification corrections on Dec. 30, 2024.