Written by Amanda Coers – Ten elected officials were sworn into their offices during the first Commissioners’ Court meeting of 2017 held on Tuesday, January 3rd at the Brown County Courthouse.
Brown County Judge Ray West led the elected county officials in their oaths. All of the officials were elected after running unopposed in the 2016 November general election. Serving terms in 2017 are:
- Newly elected Sheriff Vance Hill
- Gary Worley – Precinct 1 County Commissioner
- Wayne Shaw – Precinct 3 County Commissioner
- Robert Mullins – Precinct 1 Constable
- David Hefner – Precinct 2 Constable
- Roy Parrack – Precinct 3 Constable
- Jim Byars – Precinct 4 Constable
- Christine Pentecost – Tax Assessor/Collector
- Shane Britton – County Attorney
- Micheal Murray – District Attorney
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After swearing-in and approval of bonds, the court moved on to other business, which included a request from County Clerk Sharon Ferguson to approve personnel promotions and salary changes for her staff.
Ferguson’s Chief Deputy, Carol Holamon, retired after 20 years serving the Brown County Clerk’s office, with a salary of $35,926. With her retirement, there would be a surplus of $13,926 in the budget. Ferguson asked if the court would approve a pay raise of $1,200 a year for Amber Hanley, who has served the office for seven years, and a $2,400 a year raise for Yolanda Bernal, who has served the office for 15 years. The total raises would only be $3,600 out of the $13,926.
“Personally I think this would be better addressed at budget time,” said Joel Kelton, Precinct 2 Commissioner.
Ferguson explained it would be difficult to assign pay raises during budget meetings because the budget is set for the entire county and often doesn’t address individual employee salaries.
“We normally do not make mid-year changes,” stated Judge West.
“I see the need for the two chief deputies and their change in duties,” said Gary Worley, Precinct 1 Commissioner. “So I would make a motion that we approve the changes the County Clerk is asking for her office and to increase the pay for the two chief deputies.”
The motion was seconded by Wayne Shaw, Precinct 3 Commissioner, and approved by a vote of 3-to-1, with Joel Kelton opposed.
Amber Hanley will serve as the Chief Deputy Criminal/Records management, and Yolanda Bernal will serve as Chief Deputy Vitals/Records Management.
In other agenda items: The court also agreed to list the old jail on Houston Street for sale on GovDeals.com, setting the minimum price at $84,000, which was the appraised value of the building. There was also no action taken regarding a burn ban, meaning no ban is currently in place for Brown County.