Montgomery County commissioners on June 10 authorized the creation of a committee that will look at law enforcement pay equity across policing agencies in the county.

Two-minute impact

Representatives from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and all five precinct constables' offices filled the Montgomery County Commissioner’s courtroom on June 10 for an agenda item placed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray.

Gray requested a committee composed of representatives from the sheriff's office, all five constables' offices, Commissioners Court, the county attorney’s office, the risk management office, budget office and the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Association to look at law enforcement pay in surrounding agencies and municipalities.

The committee must report back to commissioners by the beginning of budget workshops—which are currently scheduled for Aug. 12-15—and include:

• Gap analysis
• Budget health review
• Tax rate considerations
• Funding mechanisms
• Updates to plans for state and local overtime pay, and merit raises

Gray said he would like the committee to bring a one-to-five-year plan for increasing law enforcement pay across the county.

“We fund law enforcement, and we prosecute,” Gray said. “In light of law enforcement pay increase discussions in surrounding counties, I find it appropriate to have the same discussions here in Montgomery County.”

Some context

The law enforcement pay discussion was sparked by recent conversations in the city of Houston and Harris County regarding pay parity and stagnant hiring processes due to low salary and benefits.

On May 21, the city of Houston passed a $832 million agreement raising salaries across the board for law enforcement services in a five-year process.

According to information provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the base pay for a deputy ranges from $60,528 to $82,638 based on experience.

In their words

• “I think this is excellent. I think it's realistic,” Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said. “We would all agree that our law enforcement is essential. It’s one of the great reasons why we are growing and doing what we are doing here in Montgomery County.”
• “It's paramount that our [law enforcement officers] know that they have a seat at the table here in Montgomery County that's unique, and your voices will be heard,” Gray said.