Commissioners discuss salaries, canine

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 7/30/20

County commissioners continued working through the budget with another workshop last Thursday. 

Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry Gaskill commented, “I think we are going to be hurting more …

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Commissioners discuss salaries, canine

Posted

County commissioners continued working through the budget with another workshop last Thursday. 

Precinct 2 Commissioner Jerry Gaskill commented, “I think we are going to be hurting more next year. Next year is going to be tough. I’m not saying I want to go up (salaries), just saying next year is going to be tough.”

Gaskill talked about the possibility of employee raises. “You got to look at that this year because I’m pretty sure you won’t get anything next year. I’m just looking ahead. I’m not saying we are going to give anything. In the past in good years we may give 4% or 5% with a pretty normal year getting 3%,” Gaskill said. “When you look at everything with mineral values and COVID, I think next year’s going to be worse.”

Commissioners spent time discussing concerns about a canine officer for the sheriff’s department and animal control in the county.

The current dog in the sheriff’s department was donated to the department and has been being trained in social skills by Sheriff Tom Castloo. Commissioners discussed the possible cost of training for the dog and a handler and the possibility of using grants to pay for the training. Commissioners will get with Sheriff-elect Kelly Cole to find out his plans for the use of a canine officer.

There was a discussion on the county medical director. Sellars asked if commissioners were going to try and find a volunteer. They have been giving an $11,400 stipend for the post. No decision was made.

Commissioners discussed a request by Precinct 2 Constable Kelly Smith to increase travel to $3,500. Smith travels to Houston for continued training for himself and a canine officer.

Commissioners left that amount at $2,500 at this time.

“Part of that money goes to canine certifications. If he didn’t have the canine it wouldn’t be that much,” Prec. 4 Commissioner Russell Acker noted.