This story has been updated.
The Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously approved giving the county’s elected officials, including themselves, a 5% pay increase.
All full-time elected office holders who would receive raises currently are paid six-figure salaries. According to the 2020 census the median household income in Bexar County was roughly $54,800 per year.
The pay increases were recommended by the county’s Human Resources Department and came as commissioners got their first look at the proposed 2022-23 fiscal year budget Tuesday. Final salary determinations will be approved with the county’s budget on Sept. 13, after office holders have had a chance to appeal their salaries with a grievance committee.
With the pay increase, the four commissioners will be paid between $146,000 and $156,000 per year. They also receive a $9,000 auto allowance.
Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores (Pct. 1) declined a salary increase in the 2019-20 fiscal year, accepted one in the 2021-22 fiscal year, and currently makes $138,000 per year, according to county records. There were no pay increases in the 2020-21 fiscal year due the pandemic. Clay-Flores’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the proposed raise Monday.
Commissioner Justin Rodriguez (Pct. 2) and former Precinct 3 commissioner Trish DeBerry declined salary increases in 2019-20 and 2021-22 fiscal years, according to county records. Rodriguez and Commissioner Marialyn Barnard, who is temporarily replacing DeBerry in Precinct 3, currently make $131,000 annually.
Rodriguez is running unopposed for reelection this year. His office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he would accept the raise.
DeBerry, a Republican, is now running to replace retiring Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, against Democrat Peter Sakai, a former family court judge. Republican Grant Moody, a Valero executive, and Democrat Susan Korbel, who runs a public opinion firm, are seeking the Precinct 3 seat.
Among the commissioners, Tommy Calvert (Pct. 4) currently has the highest annual salary, $141,000 per year. Calvert faces a challenge from Republican Larry Ricketts this November. Calvert’s office declined to comment on whether he would accept the pay increase.
The next Bexar County judge will be paid $189,000 per year and the Bexar County sheriff $167,000. The county clerk and district clerk will each make $155,000 per year, plus a $6,000 auto allowance. The district attorney’s salary would rise to $131,000 per year plus $9,000 in auto allowance.
Of those office holders, District Attorney Joe Gonzales is up for reelection this year and faces a challenge from Republican Marc LaHood. County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark is running for reelection against Republican Richard Gold. In the district clerk’s race, Democrat Gloria A. Martinez is facing Republican Misty Spears.
Other officeholders who would receive a pay increase include the tax assessor-collector, the four Bexar County constables, five justices of the peace and two probate court judges.
Commissioners Court approved a 5% pay raise for all county employees in June. They must approve a budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, by Sept. 13.
This article has been updated with the commissioners approving the proposed raises, to clarify that Susan Korbel continues to run her public opinion firm, and to correct that Gloria A. Martinez is the Democratic candidate in the District Clerk’s race.
