Commissioners clash over budget timing, pay requests and $200,000 legal reserve for moratorium disputes

Van Zandt County commissioners spent the second half of a budget hearing debating process and priorities after several offices submitted larger-than-expected requests.

Several commissioners called the department requests a "Christmas list" and said asking for full increases before the county knows its final revenue projections is unrealistic. One commissioner proposed submitting last year's budget on the July 31 preliminary filing, then adjusting allocations after the collector's revenue estimate is published (end of July). Commissioners noted the schedule leaves little time to reconcile department asks with projected revenue.

The court also pressed departments to provide stronger justification for new positions and pay increases. Commissioners said they want metrics—workload numbers, caseloads or service demands—showing why additional staff are necessary. Examples discussed included a fire marshal request for three more personnel and JP requests to reclassify clerk positions to assistant chief/administrator levels.

County Treasurer Mr. Kenny described modest, specific requests in his office and the reason they were recategorized: "The W-2s usually run about $1,000 to do that," he said, explaining why third-party processing had been moved to contract services rather than office supplies.

A major policy and budget issue raised was the county's legal exposure tied to its moratorium on certain green-energy/data-center projects. Commissioners reviewed counsel options and the potential costs of litigation if the attorney-general or courts rule against the county. Staff estimated that, depending on developments, the county might reasonably budget about $200,000 next year for legal defense and consulting related to energy projects and other contested policy areas (including game rooms).

Commissioners also discussed non-tax economic-development funds (moved from $65,000 to $100,000 in staff's draft) and an increase in recurring support to volunteer fire departments (a proposed doubling to roughly $180,000 in aggregate). The court debated whether to leave building-improvement contingency funds in place or wait for outcomes on a pending courthouse grant or bond decision before allocating large renovation sums.

No formal vote was taken on pay increases, job reclassifications, or the proposed legal reserve during the hearing; commissioners asked staff and affected department heads to return with more detailed justifications and cost documentation.

The meeting concluded with scheduling reminders and a plan to continue budget hearings the following day.