The proposed county budget provides for lower tax rates and significant salary increases
A 2025 budget for Wichita County proposed by District Judge Jim Johnson calls for a slight property tax cut and hefty pay raises for a number of elected officials and county employees.
Johnson’s proposed all-fund budget is approximately $86.04 million, about $8 million less than the 2024 budget. The budget calls for $54.34 million in revenue from property taxes and sets aside about $20.44 million in reserves.
Johnson proposes a property tax reduction of $0.018526 per $100 of value. Due to increased property values over the past year, the county would see an increase of approximately $1.26 million.
Johnson explained in a letter to the County Commissioners’ Court that the decrease in the overall budget was due to fewer permanent improvements to county facilities, the completion of road and bridge projects, and the repayment of some long-term debt.
His budget provides for “targeted salary increases for most workers.”
Johnson said the recommendations for salary increases were based on a study of compensation packages in similar Texas districts.
Johnson himself did not recommend a raise. He recommended raises “up to” for the following elected officials:
- Four county commissioners: From $70,000 to $76,500 per commissioner
- Tax Collector: From $70,000 to $76,500
- County Clerk: From $70,000 to $76,500
- County Clerk: From $70,000 to $76,500
- Justice of the Peace District 1-Place 1 and Place 2: From $66,964 to $69,500
- Justice of the Peace District 2: From $66,964 to $69,500
- Justice of the Peace District 3: From $58,914 to $60,100
- Justice of the Peace District 4: From $58,914 to $60,100
Other important recommended salary increases for non-elected county employees include:
- $20,764 for an assistant district attorney
- $15,000 for each of three deputy public defenders
- $12,000 for an assistant public defender
- $10,440 for each of three district court reporters, whose salaries are set by the district judges
- $10,440 per person for two court reporters in district courts
- $10,300 for the Director of Information Systems
- $10,000 for the public defender
- $10,000 each for five deputy district attorneys and one senior assistant
- $8,000 to the Accounts Payable Manager in the County Auditor’s Office
- $5,630 to the Deputy Director of Information Systems
- $5,520 for the HR manager
- $5,180 for the Emergency Management Coordinator
Other district employees would receive a raise of $5,000 or less, and some would receive no raise at all.
Johnson pointed out that inflation in materials and equipment has been in double digits for years and shows little sign of abating. In addition, the hiring situation is challenging, particularly in recruiting and retaining prison guards.
He said prison guards would continue to receive their raises from the Salary Assistance Grant and partially from a COVID-19 relief grant. There are no raises for them in the budget proposal.
The Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025 budget at 6 p.m. on September 5. Commissioners will adopt a budget and tax rate at 10 a.m. on September 10.
