Grimes County creates GIS coordinator post and reorganizes environmental/911 duties

Grimes County Commissioner's Court approved a personnel reorganization Sept. 24 prompted by the announced retirement of environmental/GIS coordinator Kat Lee at the end of October. The court voted to create a new GIS coordinator position and place it, for the time being, under the Emergency Management Services (EMS) coordinator, with the hiring salary not to exceed $55,000 per year.

Judge Joe Fowles summarized the proposal: dissolve the departing department-head position, create a GIS coordinator to handle 911 addressing and mapping, and move remaining environmental functions (permits, solid waste oversight) under the County Engineer's Road & Bridge department. The county's materials estimated a net deficit of about $13,973 for the adjustments presented; the judge said hiring timing and partial-year work would reduce the near-term fiscal impact. Kat Lee and county staff discussed duties and cross-training needs; John Stiber (County Engineer) and HR staff said they would evaluate reporting structures and job descriptions.

The court also directed that the TCEQ designated representative position and the solid-waste coordinator be moved under Road & Bridge for evaluation; pay-grade adjustments for those roles will be developed and returned to court for final approval before any salary changes are implemented. The court emphasized that the GIS posting and the cap on salary do not in themselves approve permanent pay increases without subsequent court action.