Kerr County makes veteran services officer position permanent at current budgeted salary

Kerr County Commissioners Court — The Kerr County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on Feb. 17 to offer the permanent Veteran Services Officer (VSO) position to Jenna Sanchez at the salary currently allocated in the FY25/26 budget, after Sanchez asked the court to convert her hourly post to a salaried department‑head role and requested $75,000 annually.

Sanchez, who addressed the court under item 2.2, outlined the office’s outreach and service work — including home visits, benefits fairs and training — and argued the VSO office generates savings and increased service for veterans around Kerr County. "I am the least in the least paid," she told the court as she compared her pay to surrounding counties.

Members of the court and an advisory board speaker expressed appreciation for Sanchez’s work. Jeff Harris of the Veterans Advisory Board said the office returns value to the county and noted the local veteran population, urging the court to approve the request.

The County Judge and other commissioners emphasized strong support for making Sanchez the permanent VSO but said any change above the current budgeted salary should be handled during the summer budget process because the county is relying on fund balance to cover the current fiscal year. The County Judge said the FY25/26 budget is drawing on approximately $12.6 million from reserves and cautioned about mid‑year pay increases.

A motion to offer the permanent VSO position to Jenna Sanchez at the currently allocated salary passed unanimously by voice/hand vote. Commissioners reaffirmed that requests for additional compensation beyond the budgeted amount should be justified during the regular budget cycle.