WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PAY INCREASE FOR ELECTION WORKERS

Josh Blaschke September 6, 2022

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Washington County Elections Administrator Carol Jackson requests a pay increase for election workers during Tuesday's meeting of Washington County Commissioners.

Washington County Commissioners agreed today (Tuesday) to up the hourly pay for personnel who work local elections.

The court approved raising hourly wages from $9 to $13 for election judges and alternate judges, and from $9 to $11 for election clerks. The pay raises are effective immediately.

Commissioners also approved a joint election agreement with Brenham ISD for the school district bond election on November 8^th, meaning the county and Brenham ISD will share polling locations, election workers and any expenses.

Elections Administrator Carol Jackson said with the agreement in place, the county will not have to take on the full amount of the added pay for workers.

Washington County Commissioners proclaimed September 6th through October 31st as the official period for Washington County READ. Pictured are commissioners with members of Lifetime Learning Brenham, the group that organizes the READ.

This is the first time the pay rate has been increased since 2017, when the pay was $8 per hour. A temporary rate of $10 per hour was used during the May 7^th joint election with Brenham ISD.

Commissioner Candice Bullock said the county is “very blessed” to have many people who are willing to work elections, because there are other counties and states that are struggling to recruit people to fill those positions, and that it is important to “keep the ones we’ve got.” Commissioner Joy Fuchs said those people will now be “a little bit better paid.”

In other action, commissioners approved the county clerk’s records archive plan for Fiscal Year 2023, concerning the preservation and restoration of archived records. This followed a public hearing with no citizen comments.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:

Approved the 2023 sheriff’s and constable’s fees for Washington County.
Approved the submission of COVID-19 hazard mitigation grant applications for generators for the Washington County Expo office building and EMS Station No. 3 and agreed to pay the required matching funds.
Amended the original contract between the county and Teresa Sazedj for human resources consultation services not to exceed $9,000.
Discussed a formal notice from Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating, LLC for a 12-inch lay flat rubber water transfer line on Longpoint Road, Rehburg Road and Old Landua Road for a four-month timeline duration in Precinct 3.
Approved a bond renewal for reserve deputy sheriff Carl Wiesepape with the sheriff’s office.
Read a proclamation declaring September 2022 as the period for the Washington County READ.

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