Burleson County approves racial-profiling report, moves to pay jailer overtime amid staffing shortages

Burleson County Commissioners on March 10 unanimously approved the Sheriff’s Department racial profiling report and authorized overtime pay for jailers, responding to an acknowledged shortfall in staffing.

Sgt. Joey Garza reported to the Court that the Sheriff’s Department has openings for two jailers, three dispatchers and five — possibly six — patrol officers. In response to the shortage, Commissioner David Hildebrand moved to approve overtime pay for jailers for the month of March; Commissioner Vincent Svec seconded the motion, which passed with all members voting aye.

Separately, Commissioner Vincent Svec moved and Commissioner Robert “Bobby” Urbanosky seconded approval of the Sheriff’s Department racial profiling report; the Court recorded a unanimous vote to accept the report and act upon it. The minutes record no dissenting votes and do not include additional public comment on the report.

The Court also entered an executive session at 9:11 a.m. with legal counsel to discuss issues surrounding the duties and responsibilities of the Sheriff; the meeting reconvened at 9:46 a.m. No substantive details from that closed session were included in the public minutes.

Procedural next steps recorded in the minutes include continued oversight by the Court and standard administrative follow-up; no new hires or specific timelines were noted in the minutes.