WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS BUMP UP STARTING PAY FOR SHERIFF’S OFFICE, JAIL EMPLOYEES

  

Washington County Commissioners today (Tuesday) approved raising starting pay for employees at the sheriff’s office and jail.

Effective September 4^th, the starting pay for corrections officers, jail sergeants and patrol deputies will all increase upwards of $2 per hour.

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak said the pay raises are “welcome” and hopes they go a long way toward successfully recruiting new staff.  He said, “This is the only solution to the significant problem that we have.”

 

With the wage adjustments, staff designated as corrections officer 1 will be paid an extra $3.19 per hour, making their hourly wage $19.67.  Staff designated as corrections officer 2 will make an additional $2.42 per hour, bringing their pay up to $20.66 per hour.  Corrections sergeants and patrol deputies will also receive $2.42 more per hour, and their hourly pay will be $22.62 and $22.78, respectively.

Hanak and Commissioner Candice Bullock said deputies are paid more than corrections officers due to the requirements in place for the position.  Candidates need a peace officer’s license to serve as a deputy, but do not need one to work at the jail.

Hanak said the added pay should make Washington County more competitive against surrounding counties, namely Waller County, which houses some Washington County inmates at the Waller County Jail through an interlocal agreement brought about by limited staffing.

 

Bullock said the county has spent $35,000 on average per month through the inmate agreement with Waller County, which she added involves a lot of transporting and expenses not accounted for.

Also at today’s meeting, the court accepted a proposal from W-Industries to purchase and install a new generator for the jail, using $736,000 in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.  County Judge John Durrenberger said there is no timeline for installation of the generator, but it is expected next year.

In other action, commissioners:

• Authorized GrantWorks to request qualifications for engineering and architectural services for a satellite EMS station on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land near Lake Somerville. EMS Director Kevin Deramus said GrantWorks will run the RFQ process to make sure the county properly follows federal requirements, and will not be tasked with building the EMS station or funding the project.
• Approved the use of no more than $15,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax funds for a video wall project in the Washington County Expo sales facility.
• Approved a resolution accepting 5.24 acres of land from Camp for All for public use.
• Approved the Office of Emergency Management to advertise for sealed bids to purchase a half ton truck. Bids will be due September 19^th at 9 a.m.
• Approved the continuation of a clinical affiliation agreement between EMS and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
• Accepted a resignation letter from Mary Tom Middlebrooks from the Washington County Historical Commission.
• Approved the employment of a Washington County Expo maintenance worker.
• Proclaimed the month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Washington County.
• Received the E911 monthly report.