Harris County commissioner raising alarm over $47 million pay increase for county employees

Harris County commissioner speaks against multi-million increase in employee pay

Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey is sounding the alarm about a $47 million proposal aimed to raise salaries for County employees under a certain pay grade.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Just weeks after averting a major budget crisis, Harris County Commissioners are set to consider raising the salaries of "rank-and-file" employees by $47 million.

Pay increase proposal in Harris County

What they're saying:

Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey is sounding the alarm about a "Pay Equity" proposal aimed at County employees making less than $75,000 per year.

"This was only phase one. The next phase is going to be over $30 million. I say we stop now. We slow this down. We have the conversation. I, for one, trust our supervisors. I trust the people who are in charge of our staff to make good decisions on what people make," said Ramsey, who contends there are far more pressing needs for funding.

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Ramsey says he seriously questions the validity of the $1.3 million study, in part, because it failed to factor in the County's pension and generous benefit package.

"I hate to use the word, but we are not communists in Harris County. What we try to be is good capitalists, in terms of running this County like a business. Making great decisions. Taking care of people out there, making a difference," said Ramsey.

Ramsey contends substantial pay increases should be based on merit and performance and not awarded across the board based on a consultant's assessment.

What's next:

 Commissioners are set to consider the pay equity proposal at their Oct. 30 meeting.