A public hearing was held on Monday morning at the Brown County Commissioners Court considering a proposal to increase total tax revenue and the ad valorem tax rate for the fiscal year of 2012-2013. Three citizens spoke up to address concerns during the public hearing.

Brownwood resident Joe Cooksey addressed the court concerning the amount of revenue the proposed tax increase would generate and how it would be spent. Ray West, County Judge, stated that the overage was for a 3 month buffer in the budget. Cooksey then questioned the salaries listed on the budget, and brought attention to the salaries that were above the reported 2% increase.

“It was reported a 2% increase that would add approximately $72,000 to the proposed budget paid out by the county.  I go through the budget and I look at the salaries, all the departments, and it shows a total salary increase of $130,758,” said Cooksey.

“Here’s the best way to word it is that the 2% applies to all non-elected county employees that we have control over their salaries, if you want to get right down to it, that’s what it is.” West said.

According to the Commissioner’s Court, Judge Ellis sets the salaries for his staff.

“Right, I understand that Judge Ellis sets those salaries but, I don’t have any problem butting heads with the judge when it comes to the county taxpayer,” stated Cooksey. “He should take into consideration what your plan is and the 2% issue; that’s not fair, they are still being paid by the county check.”

Justice of the Peace Judge Jim Cavanaugh came forward to present his issue with the court regarding salaries as well. According to Cavanaugh, he and the other Justices of the Peace agreed to cut their budget to allow for a salary increase for two women in their office who had taken a test, and received a master status certification in their field.

“We cut our budgets in order to give our girls a raise for achieving the master status. All four of us cut our budgets so that it would not cost the tax payers any more money, and y’all took the money,” said Cavanaugh.

West commended the Justices of the Peace on abiding by his requests for cutting their budgets, but stated that money is still tight for giving a pay increases.

“Even with cutting budgets, we have an increase in the cost of doing business of half a million dollars,” said West.

Brownwood resident Bob Steger then addressed the Court with his opinion on the issue and on the proposed tax revenue increase.

“First I agree with the JP wanting to pay his two clerks the additional amount of money for the advanced education they took. Second, I can remember, and you can too, when this county did not have the money to pay their bills. My total comment is, I am in favor of the tax increase if it will keep us out of the red,” stated Steger.

Commissioners will hold another public hearing at 9:00am on Thursday, September 20th and are set to consider approval of the tax rate and budget on Friday, September 28th at 9:00am.

Other items on the agenda included:

*Justice of the Peace Judge Cavanaugh proposed the purchasing of 4 iPads with their technology fund. The iPads are mandatory for trainings, as they will no longer be supplying paper copies of any of the materials. The use of the iPads will also be beneficial in daily use in the court room, as they use several different rooms, and the iPad will limit the need to carry law books between rooms. The monthly data usage cost was added to the proposal and was approved.

*There is still no burn ban in place but; however consideration of a burn ban will continue to be on the agenda and reviewed at the next meeting.

*The changing of Sheriff’s and Constables fees was approved.

*The applications to install private lines on CR 336, CR 344, CR 340, and CR 372 and Old May Road were approved.

*The purchasing of a paging repeater for the North portion of Brown County was approved. This purchase will improve the alert system for first responders in the area.