Liberty County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to approve a 5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all elected county officials, effective Oct. 1, 2024. This adjustment is to ensure fair compensation for its officials amidst inflation and the rising cost of goods and services.
County Judge Jay Knight told Bluebonnet News that there is also a push to increase certificate pay for non-elected and commissioned law enforcement officers.
“We’re trying to keep up with competitive pay scales and not lose good, well-trained personnel,” Knight said.
Commissioners Court is expected to continue these discussions in upcoming meetings, where they will also finalize the county’s tax rate and budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Knight said the goal also is to provide a 5 percent COLA for all county employees in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
In other business, the court approved a variety of motions addressing various departmental needs and community developments. Plans for a new RV park on CR 414 in Precinct 1 received approval. The court also authorized the transfer of three old filing cabinets from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office to the City of Plum Grove and approved a debris removal contract between the county and the city.
Bill Hergemueller, director of the Liberty County Office of Emergency Management, explained the debris removal contract by saying, “Since we are the emergency management for that city, in order for FEMA to reimburse for debris removal, we have to have an agreement.”
In other business, Commissioners Court approved the installation of panic buttons or expanders in several key offices throughout the county. These include the Texas DPS office in Liberty, the Pct. 1 Constable’s Office on Cos Street in Liberty, the Pretrial Services and District Clerk’s Office at the courthouse, the District Attorney’s Office on Trinity Street, the Pct. 6 Constable’s Office in Cleveland, the Pct. 5 Constable’s Office in Tarkington, and the Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace office on SH 146.
The court also approved interlocal agreements between Hardin ISD and both the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Pct. 3 Constable’s Office to provide two school resource officers. This agreement is a contract renewal and does not involve adding new positions to the district.
During the meeting, commissioners discussed the possibility of reopening the County’s Permit Department to the public. Melinda Soliday, who manages the department, argued that the office is open to the public, though it operates by appointment only due to limited space. Pct. 2 Commissioner Greg Arthur and Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Karbowski expressed concerns over citizen complaints regarding the difficulty in obtaining building permits, as the office has remained appointment-only since the COVID pandemic. No changes were made following these discussions.
Regarding the county’s permit office, it was noted that a secondary office will open late next year following the construction of the Northwest Annex in the Colony Ridge area. This expansion aims to alleviate space limitations and improve service accessibility for residents.
Additionally, commissioners renewed a contract with Turnkey, which provides healthcare personnel and administration at the Liberty County Jail. Penny McMillen, representing the jail, noted that the renewal includes additional staffing due to an increase in the number of inmates requiring medical treatment.
Finally, the court approved $65,000 for the tax assessor-collector’s office to cover tax billing postage and supplies, ensuring the office is prepared for the upcoming tax season.
They just voted themselves a raise last year. County roads still suck
Still no drainage district. What happened to the money and this project. The social security cost of living is 2.57 percent. Why is yours 5 percent
Of course they did.
Elected thieves who serve themselves, not the public. They produce no good things for the good tax paying citizens, they just take what they want.
You should not get raises for jobs not done. Someone tell me when was the last time you have seen a road paved in the Tarkington area. This is so wrong.
The “officials” got a raise but we’re discussing a raise for the regular employees. GTFOH
Stop voting them in. The quicker Jay Knight is out the better.
They vote them in over and over then complain about them. SMH
They can find money to give themselves raises but they can’t find money to hire more Liberty County Sheriff deputies in which we’re seriously in need of
Bill, that is not true. I am sure the people who pay attention and dislike what they are doing do not vote for them. Maybe you are that…way, but we are not.
Reread my meaning real slow so you can understand what voters I was talking about.
No Bill, you blind observations are wrong as usual
Might even be wrong about you Probably not.
Yes big waste of money the boots on the ground need the money
Local criminal organization consisting of individuals who produce nothing and live comfortably off the backs of the real working people/producers of the community. Never forget these are the same people who forced locally the mask mandates and shut down businesses! People complaining about colony ridge, who do you think “permitted” the whole thing and allowed it to happen? Crony back room deals all while railing about illegal immigration of course. People who participate and legitimize these parasites still haven’t woken up to the reality that these people aren’t needed for jack. Politicians and government in general are outdated and will someday be looked back on as being no different than any other criminal gang that use violence and coercion to rob and harass regular decent people. They just get in the way and slow any real progress and restrict your freedom. They have too many people fooled believing somehow that they “represent” and “serve” them, LOL. Just saying, we don’t need them.
Truth. When was the last time anyone walked into a government office and tried to get a business license, building permit, DOT numbers, anything? They work against you and try to f*ck you over any way they can. They do not represent our best interests.
Bill I think you are the one who needs to reread it. You don’t specify who. You only said “they”. The people on this are all complaining. You are addressing “the people who complain”. So you should stop beating around the bush and say exactly and specifically who you are talking about. Then there is no confusion.
What date and time are the upcoming public meeting?…. “Commissioners Court is expected to continue these discussions in upcoming meetings, where they will also finalize the county’s tax rate and budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Knight said the goal also is to provide a 5 percent COLA for all county employees in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.” The county taxpayers should have the opportunity to contest the tax rate and budget. These elected officials need to be held accountable and tax payers need to attend and speak to let elected officials know this is not acceptable.