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2 Republicans File Grievances Because Tom Green County Doesn't Pay Them Enough

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By Yantis Green, Aug 7, 2018
 

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Tom Green County Commissioner Bill Ford and County Clerk Liz McGill, both Republicans, have filed salary grievances over salaries proposed in the FY 2019 budget.  The commissioners court acknowledged the receipt of their grievance letters during their regular meeting Tuesday.

Back in July, Commissioner Ford argued for a ten percent raise for commissioners saying they are paid $10,000 to $15,000 less annually than their counterparts is similar sized counties with similar sized budgets.  The court voted 4 to one for a three percent raise for all elected officials.

According to the Texas Association of Counties, Tom Green County Commissioners are paid $49,476 with a car allowance of $11,259 for total compensation of $60,735.  The Tom Green County Clerk’s salary is $72,420 with a $1,485 car allowance for total annual compensation of $73,905.

The current budget proposal includes a three percent raise for elected officials which would set the commissioner’s salary at $50,960.28.  If Ford wins his grievance, his salary would be $54,423.60 plus the car allowance for total compensation of $65,682.60.

A three percent raise for the County Clerk would make the salary $74,592.60 plus the car allowance for total compensation of $76,077.60.  

There are 28 elected officials in Tom Green County and their salaries are set each year by the commissioners court.  State law allows elected officials to contest their proposed salary and a salary grievance committee is formed.

According to the Texas Association of Counties, Chapter 152 of the Local Government Code creates a salary grievance process for elected county officials to challenge their salaries, expenses, and allowances as set out in the proposed budget.

Under the Code, notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 10 days prior to any meeting at which proposed increases in salaries, expenses or allowances will be discussed.

Written notice must also be provided to each elected county and precinct officer detailing the salary and personal expenses to be included in the budget. An elected county or precinct officer who disagrees with the salary or personal expenses provided in the proposed budget may request a hearing before the salary grievance committee before the budget’s final approval.

The nine-member salary grievance committee generally consists of the county judge, sheriff, tax assessor-collector, treasurer, county clerk, district clerk, county attorney or criminal district attorney, and the number of members of the public necessary to provide nine voting members. The county judge is chair of the committee but is not entitled to vote. As an alternative, the commissioners court may vote to have the committee consist of nine public members, which is also chaired by the county judge.

The decision by the salary grievance committee is final and cannot be appealed.

The salary grievance committee meeting is set for Monday, August 13 at 2 p.m. The meeting open to the public and will be held in the commissioner’s court room on the second floor of the Keyes building downtown.   

The commissioners court has two tax rate hearings set before the court adopts a budget and approves a tax rate to fund the budget.  The court has set the maximum tax rate the same as the current tax rate of 54.5 cents per $100 in property value. The tax rate public hearings are Tuesday, August 14 at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m.  Those hearings also take place in the commissioners court meeting room in the Keyes building.

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Did these two not check the salary when they ran for public office? Quit griping and get to work!

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Both of these people make over $50,000 and that isn't enough seems like nothing is going to make them happy. I bet their county employees don't make half of that. Do either of them spend 40 per week in their office doing county business?

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rpenn, Tue, 08/07/2018 - 14:49

I can remember when County Commissioner's got $5.00 a meeting and paid by the mile on their car. But then they served because they were civic minded and not for the money. If these two are so under paid they should go find another job. I wish I could have made that kind of money when I was still working.

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That's rich. What ever happened to civic duty? To just being able to give back to the community? Just like the US Congress, entitled career politicians.

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Let's all give them a hand up, and next cycle, help them find a different job.

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Boohooohooooooooooo............ Cry me a frigging river you 2 morons... I'm pretty confident on the day each of you said to yourself...... "Self", I think I'd kind of like to have that County job, and while looking at that job, I'm pretty sure you each saw what it paid. Maybe both of you should just go ahead and resign now and go find you that job with the pay you want because I'm afraid when it's time to vote again, voters are going to remember you and will give you that opportunity to go searching for a job.............

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I'd imagine there are many qualified individuals who have the skill set to do the clerks job, and just about any retard can be a county commish. And I'd bet that just about all of those qualified would be thrilled to receive a salary of 60k or 74k. Hell, I'd like to be making either of those salaries.
These morons are going to get a slap of reality when the voters tell them to get a real job. And they will.....

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Tom Green County Commissioners are paid $49,476 with a car allowance of $11.259 for total compensation of $60,735. The Tom Green County Clerk’s salary is $72,420 with a $1,485 car allowance for total annual compensation of $73,905.

Where do I apply to get my name on the ballot. Either job is good for me. Wow, 73,905..... for San Angelo.....

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I would love to make either of those Salaries. I was trying to figure out which precinct I am in, but they have a very poor map on the county website. I know that Ford is up for re-election this year and is running unopposed currently.

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johnQ, Tue, 08/07/2018 - 16:27

I believe what is called for here is a pay CUT! After a couple of years at reduced wages they will be willing to work for the current salary. Or not. Either way taxpayers win win.

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You would have included "term" info in the article - like how much time they have left in their current position....

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Tom Green County Commissioners are paid $49,476 with a car allowance of $11.259 for total compensation of $60,735. The Tom Green County Clerk’s salary is $72,420 with a $1,485 car allowance for total annual compensation of $73,905.

Many of these elected people already have had a past career. If it is money one wants, seek another elected position that pays more. Hmm, I should seek election. What district am I in?

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ckc, Tue, 08/07/2018 - 21:52

They make more than our officers and firemen who put their lives on the line to protect and serve the people of our community. I went to college to be a nurse and don't make that much money.

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I would like to know if any of our elected commissioners even work an honest full time 40 hour work week year around ? Or do they have other jobs that also occupy their time and keeps them from serving the tax payers an honest 40 hour work week ? If so , who do they answer to or where do they clock in every day like the rest of our public servants ?

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Voters would like to know what exactly they do in 8 hours? Clock In and give the public a schedule for the day, week, and month.

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