06.17.08

Salaries Are Going Up In Williamson County

Posted in Commissioners Court, The Budget, Williamson County at 11:39 pm by wcnews

The all Republican Williamson County Commissioners Court (WCCC) voted to raise their pay, along with the pay of most other elected officials in the county. Via KVUE, Williamson County commissioners vote to raise pay.

On Tuesday, Williamson County commissioners meet at the courthouse to vote on raising salaries for 19 of the 23 elected officials by 5 percent. That would send salaries for commissioners from $80,344.83 to $84,262.07 and the county judge’s salary from $98,670.71 to $103,604.25.

Are you ready for the funny part? Here it is.

The proposed pay raise passed in the court — but not unanimously.

For anyone that doesn’t know, the WCCC is made up of five members. It takes three members voting “Aye” for something to pass. In 2008 only two of the five members of the court are up for election. Can you guess which two those are. The fake outrage should give it away.

“I felt that the amount was out of line,” said Williamson County Commissioner Valerie Covey.

Covey and Commissioner Lisa Birkman said the increase was too much. They voted against it.

“It comes on the heels of a 3.9 percent increase that was across the board last year for all elected officials, except for some judges that actually obtained more and I felt that it was not necessary,” said Covey.

Salaries for elected officials in Williamson County have actually been going up every year for the past five years.

For those of you scoring at home, Gattis, Sr., Long and Morrison - who aren’t up for reelection this year - voted for the pay raise, and 2008 candidates Birkman and Covey voted against it. It passed, so they all get the raise, and it’s doubtful that Birkman and Covey will refuse it. That the all GOP WCCC covers for each other like this, and plays politics with a pay raise, is not surprising. I hope they’re not banking on the voters in Williamson County being too stupid to figure this out. I’m sure Birkman and Covey hope to return the favor in 2010.  Accountability comes in November.

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