Commissioners Approve Constable Pay Raises 3-2 Amid Budget Concerns

Vote on Constable Pay Raises

• 🗳️ A motion to approve pay raises for constable office employees passed with a 3-2 vote.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Lesley Briones, and Tom Ramsey voted in favor, while Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Judge Lina Hidalgo voted against.
• 🗓️ The approval directs the Office of Management (OM) to post notices for the raises, with final approval expected at the September 18th budget hearing.

Budgetary Concerns and Opposition

• 💰 Commissioner Rodney Ellis expressed concerns about the budget, stating that approving the raises would put taxpayers $200 million in the hole.
• ⚠️ Ellis argued that it would be irresponsible to approve such raises without voter approval, suggesting the matter should have been put to voters first.
• ⚖️ Despite the budget concerns, Ellis stated he was not opposed to the constables themselves but to the fiscal implications.

Working Group for Efficiencies

• 🤝 A friendly amendment was accepted to create a working group focused on consolidating dispatching and exploring other potential synergies and efficiencies, such as with evidence rooms.
• 🚀 This working group aims to find ways to improve operations alongside the approved pay raises.

Service and Leadership Acknowledged

• 🙏 The constables were thanked for their service and leadership by the commissioners.
• 🗣️ Despite some public opposition and booing in the courtroom, funding for the raises was advocated for.