District clerks thank commissioners after countywide pay-parity raises

Marilyn Burgess, the Harris County District Clerk, brought a group of clerks to the May 13 court to thank commissioners for the Pay Parity Project and to show how compensation changes have affected front-line court workers.

"Since I took office in 2019, one of the hardest truths I learned was that the men and women of the district clerk's office have been among the lowest paid in county government," Burgess said. She told the court the office employs approximately 600 people who keep records, process summons and support more than 90 courts, and that the pay work by the court "is changing that in a real and tangible way for my team."

Several clerks spoke afterward about practical effects. "As a result of this recent raise, I have a new found hope for my journey of buying a home," said a clerk who identified herself as MJ, citing student-loan and housing affordability relief. Carly Brinsfield, a lead criminal court clerk, said the raise felt like "more than just a raise — I feel like I can actually breathe for the first time and realistically prepare for my future."

Commissioners used the public comment to thank Burgess and her staff; the court also recorded recognition on compensation and pay-parity initiatives on the consent agenda. Judge Hidalgo and multiple commissioners praised Burgess’s advocacy and the county’s human-resources work to implement the change.

What’s next: staff said some classifications and adjustments remain in progress and that countywide compensation work will continue through the budget process. The court signaled support for ongoing implementation and additional class-by-class reviews where concerns remain.