Trinity County tweaks pay scales, fields questions

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GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court continued its work for the next fiscal year’s budget and fielded questions regarding donated funds not being listed on public documents.

David Drake questioned why only half of the donated fund categories received by the Sheriff’s Office are shown on the budget while the others are not.

Drake said programs such as Pig Bash, Don’t Meth with Me, No Shave November, K-9 donations and those for the scholarship fund are not included and have not been for five years.

His report, filed during the county’s Sept. 10 meeting, questions why the Sheriff’s Office hasn’t been investigated for soliciting donations as well as the legality of issuing checks from the separate donation accounts.

While the Court did not respond, at County Judge Danny Martin’s request, Drake later met with County Attorney Colton Hay and County Auditor Bonnie Kennedy to go over the budget particulars.

The budget changes made for the meeting included pay changes for Road and Bridge Department operators and supervisors.

While Kennedy originally was asked to adjust the pay scales two steps for these employees, she also changed the pay scale from a 15-year cap to a 20-year cap, which will allow the supervisors additional years to receive raises.

The court will hold a public hearing Sept. 24 on the proposed budget.

In other business, the county:

  • proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month;
  • approved public posting of new subdivision regulations, following Hays’ review;
  • approved personnel action forms;
  • approved payment of disaster-related purchases;
  • approved a donation to the Groveton Public Library of $2,000, to be paid from the county’s Capital Credit funds; and
  • approved the purchase of a cell phone dialer for the courthouse fire alarm system.