County Clerk Jennifer Fogg asks court to fund reclassifications, raises and retention incentives

Jennifer Fogg, the Rockwall County clerk, asked the Commissioners Court on June 24 to approve a reclassification and pay‑scale change for deputy clerks and to permit limited use of records funds to pay initial increases.

"My requests are based on the need for experience, accountability, and retention with the county clerk's office," Fogg told the court, arguing that her office handles sensitive information that requires institutional knowledge and training. She said she condensed her original 108‑page request into a short set of asks: a starting Clerk 1 salary of $41,174 and a Clerk 2 midpoint near $50,001, with initial increases paid from records management funds and ongoing costs moving to the general fund thereafter.

Commissioners pressed Fogg on the potential equity impacts of a new Clerk 2 classification versus using a longevity or incentive plan. Several members said they were sympathetic to retaining staff but wanted clearer distinctions between job duties for different titles and requested a multi‑year forecast showing how moving items between special funds and the general fund would affect taxpayers. Fogg said she is seeking flexibility to use special funds to offset taxpayer costs and to purchase automation tools that could reduce the need for additional headcount.

The court did not vote on the proposal; commissioners asked the clerk to provide comparisons, clarify whether top‑end caps would be adjusted, and supply a forecast showing fund offsets and long‑term impacts. The matter will return to a future budget discussion for follow‑up and potential formal action.