Commissioners approve new Major rank for Midland County Sheriff’s Office; votes split on immediate step increases

Midland County Commissioners on Jan. 6 approved creation of a new Major position in the Sheriff's Office after Sheriff David Criner told the court the rank would strengthen accreditation efforts and provide a buffer between captains and the chief. "This position will help us to be an accredited agency ... and would be a buffer between the Captains and the Chief," Sheriff Criner said during his presentation.

Commissioner Steven Villela moved to create the Major position and Commissioner Dianne Anderson seconded; the motion passed with all five members recorded as voting in favor. The court left the proposed pay-schedule change for the Major and additional step-level adjustments to a future session to allow time for a job description and pay‑schedule details to be finalized.

Separately, Sheriff Criner sought immediate implementation of performance-based step increases for Sheriff’s Office employees, which he described as a retention tool: "We would like this to start immediately ... it was inadvertently overlooked," he said. Commissioners expressed concern about funding and general budget timing; the motion to approve the step-increase policy did not pass, with Somers and Johnson voting in favor and Hall and Villela voting against. Commissioner Anderson asked that the item be revisited during the fiscal process so funding sources could be identified.

The minutes show the court approved the Major position (motion by Villela, seconded by Anderson) and recorded a deferral or failure to pass motions to apply step increases immediately for the Sheriff's Office. The court requested a job description and pay-schedule language before further action.