Parker County Commissioners Court Budget Meeting - August 13, 2026

The Parker County Commissioners Court convened in budget session on August 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Commissioners Courtroom. The meeting was presided over by County Judge Pat Deen, with Commissioners Conley (PCT 1), Holt (PCT 2), Walden (PCT 3), Hale (PCT 4), and County Clerk Lila Deakle present. A brief recess occurred from 11:17 AM to 11:31 AM, and Judge Deen stepped out from 11:00 AM to 11:13 AM, during which Commissioner Conley served as Judge Pro Tem. The meeting adjourned at 11:57 AM.

I. Budget Adjustment Request – Precinct 3

• Commissioner Walden requested a budget adjustment to move money to the part-time budget line in Precinct 3. The court approved the request unanimously via motion by Walden, seconded by Holt.

II. General Fund Budget for FY2026-2027

A/B. General Fund Presentation & Updates

• Budget Analyst Bianca Lord presented information on the General Fund budget. No action was taken on these items.

C. Public Services Budget Requests

• The court heard presentations from several organizations and approved all requests unanimously:
  • Child Protective Services Board: Ruth Swain presented; approved $34,600 (motion Walden, second Hale).
  • Freedom House: Executive Director Patty Wilson and Lead Advocate Carol Sutton presented; approved funding at the same level as the expiring grant (motion Holt, second Hale).
  • Parker County Committee On Aging: Executive Director Kristine Carlson and Linda Authier presented; approved $57,274 (motion Walden, second Holt).
  • Child Advocacy Center: Executive Director Diana Aslin and Sheriff Authier presented; approved $30,000 (motion Walden, second Hale).
  • Cornerstone Community Action Agency: Executive Director Hanna Adams and Director of Development Todd Leibham presented; approved $59,615.07 (motion Conley, second Holt).
  • Servolution Network: Executive Director Jason Malewiski presented; approved $50,000 (motion Holt, second Conley).
  • MHMR Pecan Valley Center: CFO Gabe Leatherwood presented; approved $24,500 (motion Walden, second Holt).
  • City of Aledo: Director Erika Cooper and Library Director Beck Gorman presented; no action taken.
  • Abandoned Cemetery Association: JoAnne Barnhart presented; approved request increased from $12,000 to $15,000 (motion Walden, second Holt).

D. Capital & Non-Capital Budget Requests

• The court approved two items:
  • Replacement of the bulletin board in CCL2 with a portable smart board from the IT Budget (motion Holt, second Hale).
  • Department 553 (Constable 3) request for an additional safe and evidence locker for $800 (motion Walden, second Holt).

E. Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS)

• Presentation by Becky McCullough; no action taken.

F. Active Employee Insurance Rates

• Initially no action; after recess, a motion was made and carried to remove the Sick Pool Committee effective January 1, 2027, and add a county-paid short-term disability policy (Plan 1) (motion Walden, second Hale).

G. Health Insurance for Retirees

• Presentation by Becky McCullough; no action taken.

H. Longevity Pay

• Presentation; no action taken.

I. Salaries and Benefits for Elected Officials

• Presentation; no action taken.

J. Salaries and Benefits for Precincts

• Presentation; no action taken.

K. Salaries and Benefits for PCSO

• Presentation; no action taken.

L. Salaries and Benefits for Non-Elected Employees

• Presentation; no action taken.

M. Additional Employee Salary Requests and/or New Positions

• Chief Arnett addressed whether lateral pay discussed previously would also apply to Animal Control and Dispatch; no action on this specific inquiry.
• The court approved three top-scored positions: UDA (position), an increase in salary for the Elections Administrator, and an increase in the part-time line for Constable 4 (motion Walden, second Hale).
• The court also approved a salary increase for the IT Director to $160,000 effective October 1, 2026 (motion Holt, second Hale).

N. Special Revenue Funds and Projects

• Presentation by Brianna Fowler; no action taken.

III. Precincts Funds 1-4 Budget for FY2026-2027

A. Budget Presentation

• Judge Deen presented; no action taken.

B. Capital & Non-Capital Budget Requests

• Approved purchasing Body Armor for Constable 4 from Fund 10 in the amount of $3,000 (motion Hale, second Conley).

IV. Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Conley, seconded by Judge Deen; carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:57 AM.

Key Outcomes

• All motions carried unanimously.
• Approved budget adjustment for Precinct 3 part-time line.
• Approved public service funding totaling $271,389.07 for seven organizations (CPS Board, Freedom House, Committee on Aging, Child Advocacy Center, Cornerstone, Servolution, MHMR) plus $15,000 for Abandoned Cemetery Association.
• Approved capital/non-capital requests: smart board (IT budget), Constable 3 safe/evidence locker ($800), Constable 4 body armor ($3,000).
• Approved insurance change: removal of Sick Pool Committee and addition of county-paid short-term disability effective January 1, 2027.
• Approved three new positions/salary adjustments (UDA, Elections Administrator increase, Constable 4 part-time increase).
• Approved IT Director salary increase to $160,000 effective October 1, 2026.
• No actions were taken on General Fund budget presentation, TCDRS, retiree insurance, longevity pay, elected/precinct/PCSO salaries, special revenue funds, or precincts fund 1-4 budgets.