Bell County sets Justice of the Peace Ted Duffield—s FY2025 salary at $84,546 after grievance committee recommendation
Summary
After a salary-grievance hearing, the court accepted the committee—s recommendation and set JP Ted Duffield—s FY2025 salary at $84,546 by a 3–2 vote; the court discussed countywide magistration duties and the alternative published amount of $80,000.
Bell County commissioners voted 3–2 on Aug. 19 to set Justice of the Peace (Precinct 1) Ted Duffield—s FY2025 salary at $84,546, accepting the recommendation of the Salary Grievance Committee.
The grievance committee, composed of county officials and three grand-jury-selected members, met Aug. 12 and recommended the $84,546 figure by unanimous vote. The county judge told the court it had two options under the statute: accept the committee recommendation or set the salary at the amount published in the public notice ($80,000). After discussion the court accepted the committee recommendation by roll-call voice vote, 3–2.
Members discussed whether the salary included any countywide magistration duties; court minutes note Duffield did not return the countywide administration election form and indicated he would continue to perform magistration duties in the Belton office. County staff described a broader countywide magistration plan that uses associate judges on weekdays and a rotation for gaps; compensation and voluntary participation were part of the court—s deliberations.
The judge summarized the committee process and emphasized the limited statutory choices available to the court when acting on a salary grievance committee recommendation.
