Preparation for the upcoming November 2022 general election required significant discussion during the regular meeting of the Gillespie County Commissioners on Monday, Oct. 10.

With information provided to the court by County Clerk Lindsey Brown, commissioners discussed pay structure for the election judges and clerks in the upcoming election.

“This is the first time that we are doing it this way where they have to be on payroll for the county,” said Brown to the commissioners.  “So, I need to have money in the budget for this year.”

Brown proposed that election clerks with minimal experience be paid at a rate of $10.25 per hour, while experienced clerks earn $11.25 per hour. It was proposed that election judges receive $11.50 per hour, an increase from previous years.

“Of the $86,000 that’s been budgeted for election pay, that would leave us just shy of $30,000 leftover if we had that pay rate for the volunteers,” said Brown during the discussion.

Brown also pointed out that every polling location is recommended to have a bilingual person available on site, and that bilingual clerks or judges might be paid extra as a perk.

“How do you certify if someone is bilingual?” asked Keith Kramer, commissioner for Precinct 2. Kramer raised the concern that anybody could claim to be bilingual if there was no process in place to confirm their ability.

Following discussion, the commissioners unanimously voted to approve the rates proposed by Brown and to allow a 5% increase to the pay grade of any election clerk or judge who is bilingual.

Hiring and training county employees for positions requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been an ongoing frustration for the county commissioners.

Qualifications for obtaining a CDL have become overwhelming and expensive. Additionally, candidates who have already obtained a CDL are capable of higher pay elsewhere, making them difficult to hire in Gillespie County.

County Commissioner Precinct 4 Dennis Neffendorf sought approval to send a road hand employee to an accredited driving school.

The driving course recommended by Neffendorf alongside Jennifer Doss, human resources director, cost $2,000 for a week-long driving course.

Commissioners and County Judge Mark Stroeher voiced concern regarding funding CDL training for county employees without an expectation for ongoing services.

“We’ve never decided who pays for CDL training,” said Stroeher to the commissioners.

The commissioners discussed concerns that onboard employees could use Gillespie County to fund their CDL only to then gain employment elsewhere for a higher pay.

“There needs to be some kind of commitment to stay employed for a certain period of time after if we are going to be paying for those classes,” said Stroeher. “But I think there also needs to be a maximum amount the county should shell out to complete these courses.”

A one-time decision was made regarding the current employee to require a two-year commitment to Gillespie County and that the approximate $2,400 CDL cost be deducted at $100 a month from the employee pay.

Commissioners agreed that a policy needed to be in place to monitor and fund the process of CDL acquisition.

During the Oct. 10 meeting, other items discussed included:

• Approval of variances from platting and road frontage for Jay Sultemeier in Precinct 4.

• Approval of the final plat of the Indian Hills Subdivision.

• Allowed variances from frontage road requirements in the Indian Hills Subdivision.

• Rescinded previous action to participate in the Worker’s Compensation Alliance.

• Hired an equipment operator for Precinct 1.

• Hired personnel in the Communication Center.

• Approved annual maintenance for the New World Records Management System through Tyler Technologies.

• Ordered new authorization codes from Morpho Trust USA for fingerprinting applicants.

• Approved the placing of bleachers at Courthouse Square for the annual Christmas parade by the Chamber of Commerce.

• Paid the final invoice for Kofile Technologies for digitation of minute books and indexes.

• Purchased seven new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Approved the rental agreement for Stalker radar units for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Purchased an ice machine for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Authorized the trade of unserviceable equipment for the Sheriff’s Office.

• Renewed software support with The Library Corporation for the Pioneer Memorial Library.

• Approved cyber security insurance application forms for submission to USI Southwest, Inc.

• Approved a copier lease with Sharp Business Systems for the sheriff’s office.

• Levied local fees for Alcohol Beverage Permits & Licenses.

• Authorized county and precinct officials’ compensation to be taken out of the General Fund.

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