editor@dmchronicle.com
Fisher County commissioners approved a $6.5 million budget Monday, setting the annual tax rate and agreeing to a 5% cost-of-living raise for employees and elected officials after a debate over whether salaries should be boosted further.
The spending plan, proposed by County Judge Ken Holt, projects $6.3 million in expenditures and leaves an estimated $203,000 surplus at the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year. Along with the 5% raise, the budget sets a tax rate of $0.554359 per $100 valuation — the voter approval rate, which Auditor Becky Mauldin said avoids triggering public hearings.
“I think in the proposed budget we put 5%. Five percent across the board,” Holt informed the court. “We have to do that today so that we get it in the newspaper.”
In Texas, state law requires counties to publish any proposed increase in elected officials’ salaries in a local newspaper of general circulation to ensure transparency and public awareness. Under Section 152.013 of the Texas Local Government Code, the commissioners court must announce both the proposal and the actual amount at least 10 days before the meeting at which the salary change will be considered.
Commissioner Gordon Pippin countered Holt’s proposal with a push for 7%, saying the county was “way behind” others in pay. He claimed that Fisher County pay was considerably lower than most Texas counties despite the increased revenue that has come into the county coffers.
“We’ve got a pretty good income in this county,” Pippin said, noting revenue expected from recent PILOT agreements with solar companies and data centers. “That’s why I say at least 7%.”
Holt responded that neighboring counties had set raises in the 3–5% range, including 3% in Nolan County and 5% in Mitchell County. Treasurer Jenna Parks calculated the cost differences: $118,601 for 5%, $140,884 for 6%, and $178,282 for 7%. Moving from 5% to 7% would reduce the projected surplus to about $143,000.
Although Pippin did not present data to support his claim of lower pay than other counties, he pointed to salaries at the County Appraisal District as an example. “You’ve got proof across the road what they make,” said Pippin. “Three percent of their salary compared to 3% of our salary is a big difference.”
However, according to the Texas Association of Counties 2024 Salary Survey, data shows Fisher County near the middle of the 47 Texas counties with 5,000 residents or fewer. The Fisher County judge’s $45,291 salary ranks 29th in that group, and commissioner pay of $30,225 ranks 24th.
The court’s discussion unfolded against the backdrop of the county’s recent financial audit, which showed a net position of $11.67 million at the close of FY 2024, including $7.25 million in unrestricted funds and an unassigned general fund balance of $5.78 million. The general fund grew by $1.34 million last year alone.
Commissioner Dexter Elrod noted the county put more than $1 million back into its general fund in 2024 and suggested even a 10% raise could be achievable. “If we put that much back, I think 10% is possible,” he said.
Commissioner Micah Evans cautioned against overcommitting, pointing out that certain PILOT agreements generating current revenue will soon expire. “We’ve got a lot of income that’s leaving before too long,” Evans said. “Five percent is actually a very good pay increase, especially across the board. If we were to do something more, the employees need it more than the elected officials need it.”
Commissioner Stuart Posey urged restraint, likening extra spending to fertilizing a field only to see a failed crop. He suggested that acting on the increasing tax revenue trend only if it continues.
“I think spending money when we don’t have it 100% in is not the best decision,” said Posey. “If you went up five this year and you got solar money and tax money and the Bitcoin coming in next year, you can go up another five next year. That's 10% in two years, that's pretty good.”
Holt also reminded the court that most residents live on fixed incomes and that costof- living adjustments should stay in line with broader economic measures.
“You’ve got probably 60% of the county on Social Security… They pay your salary and you’re asking them for 7%,” Holt said. “I don’t think that’s very palatable.”
Pippin pushed back. “I mean, I pay taxes just like anybody else, but I’ve also got to live too. Everybody’s got to live.”
In the end, Evans moved to approve the 5% raise for publication, Posey seconded, and the motion passed. The court also approved the budget and tax rate. Fisher County Auditor Becky Mauldin also explained the decision to set the tax rate at the voter approval rate rather than the no-new-revenue rate, which would have required a hearing.
While the salary issue is settled for now, commissioners signaled that other compensation matters, including the county’s longevity pay policy, will be revisited. Budget discussions are expected to continue when the court meets again in September, ahead of final budget adoption following required publications and hearings.
To read the 2024 Salary Schedule Survey Published by the Texas Association of Counties Click the link. https://cloud.3dissue. net/32217/32132/32752/112626/index. html