Court authorizes grant applications to state for pay supplements to sheriff and district attorney offices

The court voted to authorize two grant applications tied to Senate Bill 22 of the 88th Texas Legislature to supplement law‑enforcement and prosecutorial staffing and pay.

The judge described the sheriff grant as an intended application to the Governor's Office for $500,000 that could supplement deputy and jailer wages or equipment; the application window opens Jan. 1, 2024. "We're going to be expending funds ... on a promise for the next 90 days until we get this money in," the judge said, explaining the timing of the budget placement. The court also approved a $275,000 application to the Comptroller for the district attorney’s office for similar supplemental pay or to hire staff.

Commissioners discussed that program rules were still pending and said the county would use a dedicated column in the budget to keep the grants separate; they approved both motions 4–0.