The Blanco County Commissioners Court meeting began budget discussions at 10 a.m. on July 14, after a 10 minute recess during their meeting.
Concerns about the county employees’ salaries were discussed. Complaints about county employees are being paid too low have been heard from various people. County Judge Brett Bray suggested a 6 percent salary increase for all employees, and this would increase benefits as well. He explained that the county employees have been working continuously throughout the pandemic either at their county office or from home. The maintenance fund for the county clerk’s office is coming out of the special fund.
The judge complimented the elections administration and suggested that the two women, Laura Walla, county clerk and Kristen Spies, tax assessor collector, are compensated for their work. The district clerk budget has an increased amount for maintenance and support items, but this is normal according to Bray.
Next, the county attorney’s budget was discussed. A full-time clerk in the Blanco office was approved, but in the 2019/2020 fiscal year only a part-time clerk position was budgeted, so this change will need to be adjusted for the upcoming fiscal year. Bray expressed concerns about needing a part-time investigator. A possible rate change for the emergency services employees was also suggested.
A brief discussion regarding the judicial expenses budget took place next. Judge Randy Brodbeck was present to explain that Central Texas Autopsy has been slow to report the autopsy results back; he is still waiting on an autopsy report from February 2019. Billing is not arriving until the autopsy is complete, which is causing problems. Additional funds added to this budget were suggested in case the county decides to switch autopsy services. Travis and Bexar county were mentioned as alternatives.
The operating expense of the Justice of Peace Precinct 1 budget has doubled. Telephones have been added to the budget. A part-time secretary was added to the budget due to the increased workload. Brodbeck explained that there is a need for someone to help answer phones and take information; the person would work roughly 30 hours a week and should be tech-savvy. Brodbeck expressed appreciation towards the sheriff’s department.
Bray predicted that there will be a desire for increased salary for the constable next year. The tax exception was not secured yet, but an adjustment has been made. The county judge asked the sheriff’s department about the price for three four-wheel drive patrol trucks, and Sheriff Don Jackson explained the option presented would be cheaper. These new vehicles would not necessarily replace old vehicles.
The new monitoring system for the jail administration will keep the logs and records. The current jail camera system is outdated and parts can no longer be found easily for camera maintenance. The new system will be digital and DDRs will no longer be needed.
The court adjourned for lunch at 11:56 a.m. and was back in session at 1:09 p.m. A long discussion regarding the sheriff’s department salaries took place. Jackson requested that salaries be increased to reflect their certifications/experience within the department. For employees that have been there for two years, a 3.5 percent increase was suggested. Overtime is not calculated with the certification. Additional purchases for cell phones were included in the budget. A new purchase of an electrical power management system (EPMS) was discussed; the courthouse can be added to this system in the future. The meeting concluded at 2:46 p.m.
Blanco citizen Kenneth Welch has provided his own recommendations to the Commissioners Court regarding the budget during the past few weeks. These include information regarding budget requests from the Texas Wildlife Services Program (TWSP), extension services, community services, and capital equipment. He also provided his suggestions regarding the budget planning and salary adjustments.
