The Texas Association of Counties has released its biannual survey of county officials’ salaries, and while Burnet County certainly sets the pace among counties in the Highland Lakes (including Llano, Lampasas and Blanco), it compares favorably to other Texas counties with similar populations.
TAC publishes its salary survey comparison only in even numbered years, marking the first time since 2018 the organization, which serves as a representative voice for the state’s 254 counties, has published the list.
The salary comparison does not include salaries for offices for which the majority of payment is made by the state of Texas, including county court at law judges, district attorneys or district judges.
Burnet County
According to TAC’s survey, in 2019, Burnet County had a population of 48,155 and a total fiscal year 2020 county budget of $37,010,149.
The highest paid elected official overall in Burnet County included in the survey is County Attorney Eddie Arredondo, whose base salary is $93,018 and who also receives a $28,000 stipend from the state for a total salary of $121,018.
The second highest paid official is County Judge James Oakley, whose base salary of $86,715 as constitutional county judge is supplemented by a $26,400 stipend he receives for performing probate court duties for a total salary of $113,115. Oakley also receives a vehicle furnished by Burnet County.
County Auditor Karin Smith, who is appointed to her position by the 33rd and 424th Judicial District judges, receives a salary of $91,790 and a salary supplement of $5,096 as the purchasing agent for the two judicial districts for a total salary of $96,886. County Sheriff Calvin Boyd’s total salary is $85,351 and his vehicle is furnished by the county.
Four county officials all make $75,546 — County Treasurer Karrie Crownover, County Clerk Janet Parker, District Clerk Casie Walker and Tax Assessor-Collector Sheri Frazier. Meanwhile, all four commissioners — Jim Luther Jr. (Precinct 1), Damon Beierle (Precinct 2), Billy Wall (Precinct 3) and Joe Don Dockery (Precinct 4) make $73,258 and are furnished a county vehicle.
The four justices of the peace — Roxanne Nelson (Precinct 1), Lisa Whitehead (Precinct 2), Jane Marie Hurst (Precinct 3) and Debbie Bindseil (Precinct 4) — all make $69,264 with a $4,000 per year travel allowance for a total of $71,264. The four constables — Leslie Ray (Precinct 1), Garry Adams (Precinct 2), Chip Leake (Precinct 3) and Missy Bindseil (Precinct 4) — each make $57,242 and are furnished a county vehicle.
Llano County
According to TAC’s survey, in 2019, Llano County had a population of 21,795 and a total fiscal year 2020 county budget of $16,588,123.
The highest paid elected official overall in Llano County is County Judge Ron Cunningham, whose base salary of $61,000 as constitutional county judge is supplemented by a $26,400 stipend he receives for performing probate court duties for a total salary of $87,400.
The second highest paid official is County Attorney Rebecca Lange, whose base salary is $61,000 and who also receives a $23,333 stipend from the state for a total salary of $84,333.
County Auditor Cindy J. Lent, who is appointed to her position by the 33rd and 424th Judicial District judges, receives a salary of $66,000. County Sheriff Bill Blackburn’s total salary is $61,000 and his vehicle is furnished by the county.
Two county officials make $54,287 — County Clerk Marci Hadeler and District Clerk Joyce Gillow. County Treasurer Teresa Kassell makes $54,587, while Tax Assessor-Collector Kris Fogelberg makes $54,000. Meanwhile, all four commissioners — Peter Jones (Precinct 1), Linda Raschke (Precinct 2), Mike Sandoval (Precinct 3) and Jerry Don Moss (Precinct 4) make $56,000 and are given a car allowance of $1,800.
The justices of the peace — Bebe Rocha (Precinct 1), Maureen Riggs (Precinct 2), Deb Edwards (Precinct 3) and Brian Alexander (Precinct 4) — make between $51,000 to $53,242. The four constables — Gary Olfers (Precinct 1), Richard Harris (Precinct 2), Bill Edwards (Precinct 3) and Joe Simpson Jr. (Precinct 4) — each make $44,000 and are furnished a county vehicle.
Other counties
According to TAC’s survey, in 2019, Lampasas County had a population of 21,428 and a total fiscal year 2020 county budget of $13,823,868.
Salaries for Lampasas County range from $83,735 for sheriff to $82,500 for the county auditor to $71,842 to the county judge to $61,894 for treasurer, county and district clerk and tax assessor-collector to $57,943 for commissioners.
According to TAC’s survey, in 2019, Blanco County had a population of 11,931 and a total fiscal year 2020 county budget of $10,065,938.
The Blanco County sheriff is the highest paid official at $56,554, while the county judge, commisioners, county clerk, district clerk, treasurer and tax assessor-collector all make $47,842. Cindy Lent, who is auditor for Llano County, also serves Blanco County and receives a $30,000 stipend for her duties there.
Among counties of similar size (population 25,000 to 49,999), Burnet County is sixth out of 36 counties in what it pays its county judge in total compensation including stipend, behind Chambers ($147,650), Matagorda ($129,682), Kendall ($122,675), Uvalde ($115,650) and Val Verde ($113,317).
The budget for Chambers County is twice that of Burnet County ($75.2 million), while Matagorda County’s budget is nearly $10 million less overall at $27.36 million. Kendall County’s budget is $2 million more than Burnet County, while Uvalde and Val Verde have budgets between $32.9 to $33.8 million.
Gillespie County pays a higher base salary at $88,392, but the county judge there only receives a $1,200 salary supplement and $2,800 car allowance. Burnet County also ranks
Burnet County also ranks in the top 10 in salaries for all other elected officials among counties in its population group.
