Written by Amanda Coers – The Brown County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 30th, in the Brown County Courthouse to discuss items posted on the agenda. Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill was present to discuss a proposed budget for his department’s fiscal year that could potentially include much needed pay raises for deputies and jailers. 

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The first order of business for any commissioner court meeting is always the Burn Ban, which is still in effect for Brown County due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

Two items listed on the agenda required the input of current Brown County Judge Ray West who was not able to attend the meeting: approval for the lease with TrueCore, formerly known as G4S Youth Services, for the Juvenile Detention building as well as discussion regarding the lease. As Judge West was not able to attend, the commissioners tabled the matter for a later date.

Tampa, Florida-based TrueCore Behavioral Solutions, formerly known as G4S Youth Services, operates residential facilities for children who have been ordered by the court into juvenile justice facilities. The company boasts a 20-year history of providing services to at-risk youth. Today, nearly 2,000 TrueCore professionals and staff in facilities across four states offer their services.

Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill spoke with the commissioners regarding his proposed budget that included expenses for three vehicles and five replacement tasers, along with pay raises for his employees. Sheriff Hill is hopeful to be granted fund for a $7,500 annual increase for each of his jailers and peace officers on average. The total amount needed for that increase is approximately $480,000. The increase in pay will exclude the sheriff and two chief deputies.

Sheriff Hill explained jailers working at the Brown County jail receive $26,775 starting annual pay. Mills County Sheriff’s Office pays $31,866 starting annual pay for jailers,  $2 more per hour than the BCSO. Mills County is significantly smaller in size and population than Brown County.

“My jailers have a high-stress job, they get assaulted,” Sheriff Hill said while explaining his reasons for seeking the pay increases.

Brown County Sheriff’s Deputies also deserve pay raises, Hill said. Currently starting pay for deputies is $32,261 annually, whereas City of Bangs Police Department offers $39,254 up to $43,150 annual starting pay. A certified “Master Peace Officer” currently is paid $38,950 in Brown County, while in other counties the same officer could make over $45,000 per year.

“I just recently lost a 15-year deputy to the Mills County Sheriff’s Department,” Sheriff Hill told commissioners, explaining that deputy experienced an immediate increase in pay. “This is experience that I’m losing, and it’s hurting the type of service the citizens can get from us.”

Hill acknowledged it might be difficult for the commissioners to grant the increase for his department, but he hoped to see some positive changes.

“I want to work with y’all to get to where we need to be in the next couple of years,” Sheriff Hill said. “If we can’t get the across the board raise, I’d like to at least make a step program so I can hire more experienced officers.”

To see the pay raises granted, a tax increase less than three cents per 100 valuation may be needed. Budget workshops will continue throughout today to look into revenue needed for all county departments.

“I feel like it’s time that something is done to make the playing field fair,” Hill said.

Also discussed during Commissioners Court:

• The commissioners granted approval for a contract with Austin-based law firm Allison, Bass, and Magee, LLP regarding precinct redistricting. Every decade a census of the county is conducted to assess population growth. The last census was conducted in 2010, showing no significant increase and no need for redistricting in Brown County. The next census will be conducted in 2020. Cost for the initial study is listed at $5,000. If growth is significant to warrant further action, an additional charge of $20,000 will be incurred to complete the study and move boundary lines.
• Precinct 4 Commissioner Larry Traweek asked for approval to declare property as surplus older equipment. Traweek explained he will return with a comprehensive list of the equipment and the matter was tabled until the list could be provided.

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