The Potter County Commissioners’ Court approved a $94.9 million budget Monday after hearing requests for higher pay from several county departments and elected officials.
Commissioners also approved a potential property tax rate of $0.62268 and an agreement with Haskell County to house Potter County inmates.
Here’s what you need to know from the Aug. 24 meeting.
Commissioners approve $94.9 million budget
The court unanimously approved a $94,901,273 budget for Potter County.
Before the vote, commissioners heard from county employees and elected officials who advocated for higher salaries as the court considered the spending plan. The proposed budget and previous county budgets are available on Potter County’s website.
During public comment, Potter County CPS Attorney/Guardian Ad Litem Stacy Zavala requested a pay raise for herself and her paralegal, Kelly Deaton.
Zavala told commissioners she was one of, if not the lowest-paid attorney in the county and said she earns significantly less than someone holding the same position in Randall County. She requested a 7% increase from her current salary.
Precinct 3 Commissioner John Coffee moved to approve the increase. Coffee said he “didn’t want to open that can of worms” by changing pay increases already included in the proposed budget but believed Zavala’s work warranted the additional money.
“I think she’s actually not asking for enough. So I appreciate you taking that into consideration,” Coffee said.
Precinct 1 Commissioner H.R. Kelly voted against the motion, saying other county employees were equally deserving of raises but would not receive them.
Commissioners approved Zavala’s 7% increase in a 4-1 vote, bringing her salary to $115,000.
Afterward, representatives from Potter County Fire-Rescue, the sheriff’s department, district attorneys and constables approached commissioners to advocate for higher pay.
Precinct 1 Constable Darryl Wertz told commissioners that $5,000 budgeted for him to purchase another vehicle could instead be removed and the money directed elsewhere. Commissioners approved the change.
The court also discussed courthouse security and the need for a constable to fill that role. Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas said his office could move a deputy from a funded but currently unused position to provide security at the courthouse without adding to the county’s costs.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Blair Schaffer highlighted the work performed by Potter County Fire-Rescue despite its restricted budget and advocated for higher pay for entry-level firefighters. No motion was made, and commissioners took no action on the request.
The final $94.9 million budget passed 5-0.
Proposed tax rate increases
Commissioners also approved a proposed tax rate of $0.62268.
The proposed rate includes $0.58590 for maintenance and operations and $0.03678 for debt service. Last year’s tax rate was $0.59024.
The proposed rate is not yet final. A public hearing will be held Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Courtroom at 350 S.E. 6th Avenue, Suite 2141, before commissioners take a final vote on the tax rate.
Haskell County to house Potter County inmates
Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Haskell County to provide additional space for Potter County inmates.
The court had previously discussed an agreement that would provide 50 beds in Haskell County. Under the earlier terms, Potter County would have been required to pay for all 50 beds for the duration of the contract, regardless of how many were being used.
Thomas told commissioners Monday that Haskell County agreed to revised terms allowing Potter County to pay only for the beds it uses, at a rate of $98.50 per bed.
Thomas said he plans to utilize 50 beds. Potter County will be responsible for transporting inmates to the Haskell County facility.
