Commissioners reverse comp‑time tweak, keep overtime funding in FY27 draft

The Commissioners Court voted unanimously to back away from a recent comp‑time policy adjustment that had reduced budgeted overtime costs in the FY27 draft. Commissioners described comp time as a form of overtime accrual that has resulted in roughly 10,870 hours taken over the past two fiscal years.

Commissioner Lichty, who had supported a cap policy in June, said the court should trial the cap for a year but was open to study: "I would like to go back to the decision we made in June, which was to cap it at 40 hours and say, it's gotta be spent before vacation..." After discussion, the court directed the auditor to present next-draft numbers removing the comp-driven adjustment; a procedural vote passed 5–0. Staff estimated the change saves approximately $90,000 in the current draft (accounting for an already budgeted $10,000 for auditor overtime). The court asked department heads to help produce a study of comp‑time usage and a proposal for handling accruals in the coming year.