The overview
According to county documents, the proposal, which is part of the county’s compensation package, includes increasing the supplement for each district judge from $4,800 per year to roughly $18,000 per year. This would have brought the district judges’ supplements more in line with the current district attorney supplement.
However, during the meeting, County Judge Bill Gravell moved to adjust the supplemental figure for District Attorney Shawn Dick from $18,000 to $52,000. His proposal, which went on to pass, kept the newly adjusted figure of $18,000 for district judges.
Gravell's proposal passed by a 3-2 vote, with Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long and Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey voting against it.
What they're saying
This amendment sparked a debate among the commissioners on whether it is the county’s responsibility or the state’s to add funding to the district attorney’s salary.
Both Long and Covey said the increase is an unneeded expenses for the county.
The district attorney will receive a pay increase on his base salary from the state due to his tenure, Long said. This pay increase will raise his salary from $154,000 to 168,000 if the county waits until January. However, if the court votes to increase the supplement at the county level, then the state will adjust its figure, which would end up costing county taxpayers $34,000, Long said.
Long and Covey said their goal is to provide Dick a higher salary while avoiding having county taxpayers pay for something they believe the state should.
Gravell disagreed, citing concerns about making county salaries attractive to top talent.
“If [the county] is to attract the very best, [the county] has to make our salaries worthy of them,” Gravell said.
What else?
According to county documents, the supplements package also includes various reimbursement options and county benefits programs.
- County officials required to use personal cars for county business may be entitled to receive mileage reimbursements at the IRS allowable deduction rate.
- Any official, on county business, may be entitled to full reimbursement for lodging expenses when traveling out of the county beyond a 45-mile radius of the Williamson County Courthouse.
- All officials may be entitled to reimbursement for any meals eaten when traveling out of the county on official county business.
- All qualifying county and precinct officials will be provided health benefits coverage under the Self-Funded Williamson County Benefits Program.
- Enrollment in Texas County and District Retirement System
- Participation in the Williamson County Eligible Employee, Spouse and Retiree Wellness Program
