Tarrant commissioners will consider raise for themselves, other elected officials
Tarrant County commissioners will vote Tuesday on a proposed 3% raise for themselves, employees and other elected officials.
Administrator G.K. Maenius said while he understands the financial difficulties the state faces, officials and employees receive a raise every year regardless of economic conditions. The raises for the elected officials and the approximately 4,000 employees will cost taxpayers $10.9 million in 2021.
Maenius added that the county is looking to bolster business activity and help with rental assistance during these difficult times. The shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic led to the worst economic contraction in history and a July unemployment rate of 7.5% in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Messages for the commissioners left with a spokesperson were not returned. Judge Glen Whitley did not return a phone message.
Commissioners receive just under $183,000, and Whitley and Sheriff Bill Waybourn are paid just under $193,000. The raise would increase their pay by about $5,500.
Commissioners can vote to remove themselves and other county elected officials from the pay increase. And individual officeholders can decline to accept additional pay.
On Tuesday, Dallas County commissioners rejected a 2% raise for themselves and other officials.
The proposed budget also includes a 3% merit-pool salary increase for all non-law enforcement positions in the county and step increases for law enforcement officials.
Law enforcement employees would get a 2% raise on Oct. 1 and a 3% salary increase dependent on an evaluation.
The budget includes a 3% increase in payroll, but department managers can give individual employees raises up to 6% and others less, Maenius said.
Commissioners will also vote Tuesday on a proposed $698.5 million budget, which includes 25 new positions. The proposed tax rate would remain at 23.4 cents per $100 of assessed property value, costing the owner of a $220,000 home $521.
The coronavirus recession did not yet have a big impact because more than 70% of county revenues are property taxes.
