Court confirms acting county judge Jerry Bates’ salary will be prorated from base pay; residents express concern about process

Uvalde County commissioners discussed the appointment and pay for acting county judge Jerry Bates and confirmed salary and bonding arrangements.

The auditor and court staff told commissioners that because the interim judge will not perform full judicial duties the court proposed paying the base county-judge salary on a prorated basis; the auditor noted the base salary was budgeted at $92,302 and that the court had obtained a one‑year bond for the acting judge. Public commenters questioned whether the full base pay was appropriate given the interim, reduced judicial workload and urged the court to review base rates for elected officials broadly.

Commissioners referenced statutory guidance indicating county judge compensation is tied to the base rate and that visiting judges will receive per diem set by the regional presiding judge. After discussion the court moved to accept the auditor’s recommendation to prorate the salary and to budget for the position. The motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Actions recorded: the court confirmed the prorated base salary and approved the one‑year bond for the acting county judge; the auditor will code salary and bond line items in the budget and report monthly updates.