Harris County commissioners approved a significant wage increase for deputies on Thursday, while raising questions about how to fund the ambitious $140 million boost by 2026.
The decision came as pressure mounted following the Houston City Council’s authorization of an $832 million, five-year contract for the city’s police officers, prompting immediate discussions about pay parity.
Elected constables in Harris County voiced urgent concerns at an earlier news conference, urging commissioners not to delay pay increases for their deputies.
The approved motions create a negotiation committee tasked with finding financing solutions for the higher salaries, a move that could push the county deeper into its existing financial troubles with a projected budget deficit reaching $270 million.
Constables across the county argued that without competitive wages, they risk losing deputies to other law enforcement agencies.
“It’s a real disparity when you have officers that are making $20,000 more in starting pay for the exact same job,” said Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen.
He described the situation as problematic, emphasizing the shared responsibilities of deputies and Houston Police Department (HPD) officers.
In a statement following the vote, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo described the decision as unprecedented.
While Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis opposed a motion for pay parity with HPD, expressing concern that it would further complicate the county’s financial issues, she did support the creation of a negotiation committee to explore funding options for the proposed raises.
Hidalgo stated, “That’s a bewildering thing for county leaders to commit to without explaining how to cover that deficit,” highlighting the uncertainty around the funding plan.
Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia, along with Commissioner Tom Ramsey, who is the sole Republican on the commissioners court, voted in favor of the pay increase.
Briones warned that the absence of swift action on pay parity could hasten the loss of qualified deputies to competing agencies like HPD.
Currently, the starting salary for deputies in Harris County is $57,000 and is set to rise to match the recently approved HPD contract, which stipulates a starting salary of $75,000 for first-year officers beginning in July.
With deputies being aggressively recruited by other law enforcement agencies, Briones stated, “They are poaching our people.”
For further context, Hidalgo noted earlier in the day that the county lacks the necessary funds for the proposed salary increases.
The county was already facing a $130 million deficit heading into the annual budgeting season, with the new pay increase looming as an additional expense that will accumulate each year.
Hidalgo indicated that the county may need to redirect resources and cut down on what commissioners considered non-essential services to fund the raises.
She suggested potential cuts of approximately 6% or 7% across all departments; however, she stressed that this is merely a provisional proposal at this stage.
As the situation develops, the county leaders must navigate the complexities of balancing deputy pay against financial sustainability.
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