Dallas County Commissioners Tuesday approved 6-percent raises for themselves and other elected county officials. It was a reduction from the even larger 8-percent increase on the agenda, after strong opposition from Dallas County deputies who may get smaller raises.
Sgt. Chris Dyer, leader of the Dallas County Sheriff Employees Association, spoke for members at the Commissioners Court meeting.
"I've been a Dallas County employee for almost 30 years, 16 of those, my pay plan was frozen," he said. "You have money now to fix this problem. You'll never have a better chance than right now to fix it."
Soaring property values across North Texas give local governments the luxury of considering budget increases with the same property tax rates.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Commissioner Mike Cantrell want tax rates reduced to soften the blow for property owners. The other three Dallas County Commissioners favor the same 24.31 cents per $100 value.
"Keep the tax rate as it is," said Commissioner Elba Garcia. "We're still one of the lowest. Give our employees the salary they deserve."
With the current tax rate, a 6-percent pay raise for deputies and other county employees is included in the proposed budget. Rolling back to the rate Jenkins and Cantrell prefer would allow only 3-percent employee raises.
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Taxpayers speaking at the meeting complained about the higher tax bills they will pay if rates are not reduced.
Peter Urrutia with the Metro Tex Association of Realtors voiced the concerns of many owners.
"You are increasing the cost of home ownership. That is not something we can support. That is not something we will support. You have the opportunity to do the right thing and show some leadership," Urrutia said.
Officials said the Dallas County portion of tax bills is only about 9 percent of the total that also goes to cities and school districts. Commissioner John Wiley Price said Dallas County has been frugal and county employees, roads and buildings have waited long enough.
"Look what we've done. Compare us to the urban counties. Compare us to the state," Price said.
Officials said the average owner of a $200,000 home would pay about $37 more than last year for the Dallas County portion of taxes if the rate remains the same because of increased value.
Only the elected official pay raises were on the commissioners' voting agenda Tuesday. Commissioners vote next month on a 2016-2017 fiscal year property tax rate and a new budget that determines employee raises.
Dallas County Commissioners are currently paid $145,474 a year. A 6-percent raise would increase that to $154,202.
Elected officials are free to refuse their pay raises. Elba Garcia and Clay Jenkins said they would not accept the extra money.
