Travis County Commissioners granted rank-and-file employees a flat $1,000 a year raise, and granted peace officers such as sheriff’s deputies and park rangers a one-step increase in their pay scale. The raises, which are limited to employees who make less than $100,000, will cost the county about $5 million. Commissioner Ron Davis objected to spending that much, because it exceeded the $4.3 million reserve fund budgeted for next year. He wanted the raises limited to $750 per employee, but ended up on the short end of the 4-1 vote. For some peace officers, it’s the first pay increase in five years.
Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government,... More by Mark Richardson