County officials defend proposed raises

the county could be seeing an increase in their paycheck … yesterday commissioner’s court – took a vote – and the increase passed during their budget hearings. but does this vote affect you, the tax payer? abc-7’s evan folan is live to explain… simply put… commissioners say no. but we know several of you are upset with the increase in pay for county commissioners and the county judge. so i voiced your concern – and this is the answer they gave me…. “the vote – it needed to happen a vote to increase pay for elected officials… “a vast majority of people will not like it and i understand why” right now the county judge makes more than 87-thousand dollars… the vote – would bump the paycheck up by more than 14-thousand dollars making the proposed salary $102,000 county commissioners approved an increase in their salaries of more than 26-thousand dollars with a 3 to 2 vote.. “fo commissioners that increase i know it is a big jump” jumping their annual pa from close to $63,000 to more than 89- thousand dollars. “obviousl there are a lot of people who believe public servants shouldnt get paid anything their reasoning? “ho much of a salary would it take to get people to run?” and to make el paso competative compared to other 253 counties statewide. the proposed increase would put the elected officials payroll equal to about 70 percent of the market in texas. which they hope will change who runs in future elections? “all you get is people who ar retired and depend on their pension or are independently wealthy” “more people who are qualifie will take a better look at running for it because they will not take a pay cut” “there will not be tax increase for anyone” the proposed increase is not set in stone – but if the budget passes it will go into affect october first. commisioners court will hold a tax rate proposal which will be open to the public for constituents who want to voice any concerns. again, commissioners believe there will be no increase in taxes because of the increase in their salary. the proposal is scheduled for august 29th. the el paso school district is trying to shed the negative image still lingering from