Cooke County sets $60,000 base salary and forms committee to fill library director post

The Cooke County Commissioners Court voted to set a base salary of $60,000 for the county's upcoming library director vacancy and to form a search committee to oversee recruitment.

Elizabeth Hookton, the county's current library director, told the court she plans to retire June 5 and asked to be included on the committee that will screen applicants. Hookton said she has served for 21 years and has worked with the state library and local stakeholders, and urged the court to begin the hiring process promptly so summer programming and budget work are not disrupted. "June 5th is my last day. I'm retiring," Hookton said.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether to post a salary range or a single base figure; county staff noted posting a salary is required before placing the public notice. One commissioner recommended a $60,000 base with about $12,000 estimated for insurance (roughly $72,000 in total compensation) as a starting point. The court approved the motion to set the base salary $60,000 and authorized staff to post and proceed with recruitment steps, with committee names to be returned for formal approval.

The court also authorized forming a committee to lead the hiring process and discussed proposed membership. During discussion the judge and commissioners said they would bring formal committee names back to court; later in the meeting a motion identified a proposed committee consisting of Judge Rone, Jennifer Johnson, Matt Sickling, and Elizabeth Hookton to be brought back for approval.

Next steps: staff will post the position consistent with the salary direction, complete any required newspaper posting, and return committee membership and any interview schedules to the Commissioners Court for formal approval.