Commissioners approve disputed personnel action after vote on promotion pay

The Tom Green County Commissioners Court voted 4–1 on Sept. 29 to approve a personnel action for the county judge's administrative assistant after an extended debate about how promotions and department supplements should be applied.

Commissioner (speaker 6) opened the discussion by asking for the math behind the proposed salary and said, "I would just like to, have explained to me the salary for the position of the county judge's admin assistant." HR Director Julie Radikin (speaker 8) reviewed the county's written promotion policy, saying, "For employees promoted to a higher level position... it will either be the minimum of the new range or it will be, a pay adjustment to their current salary." Commissioners pressed staff for the personnel action form (PAF) and supporting calculations before voting.

Auditor/staff (speaker 10) explained the PAF math on reconvening, noting the department-specific supplement that would be removed in the transfer and the revised biweekly pay figure. After discussion about whether the action should be treated as a promotion, a lateral transfer, or both, the court agreed to mark the form as both a promotion and a transfer so the payroll office would have a starting salary to process. The presiding official called the question and the motion passed 4–1.

The court directed HR to provide clearer policy language and the underlying calculations for personnel reports going forward. Commissioners said they wanted more transparency and a salary pathway attached to future personnel reports so elected members can verify how pay figures are reached.