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District attorney seeks raises and a new lawyer to handle expanded truancy duties
Summary
District Attorney Mark Skirka told the commissioners court his office needs salary increases to retain prosecutors and asked for an additional attorney to manage new statutory duties on truancy, saying recent staff departures and the expanded workload require an extra position.
District Attorney Mark Skirka briefed the commissioners court and asked for salary increases for prosecutors and staff to stem turnover, and for an additional attorney to handle a surge in truancy-related responsibilities.
Skirka said he has repeatedly requested pay-step increases for attorneys and staff; he noted one prosecutor who had been in the office for two years left for a $16,000 raise in Waco. He emphasized retention difficulties and asked the court to consider completing previously requested step increases.
On truancy, Skirka said statutory changes have shifted duties to the DA's office: the office must now review every truancy application from school districts, draft petitions when appropriate and prosecute or otherwise handle filings. "We have to review every truancy application made by every school district," he said, arguing the new workload is time intensive and requires adding one dedicated attorney to the budget.
Skirka also requested modest increases in office expenses — postage, travel, gasoline, overtime and temporary services — to cover higher operational costs and working time spent on Odyssey training and other transitions.
He closed by inviting commissioners to contact him with questions and to consult his office if they needed further detail.
