Harris County constables will see a significant salary increase this year after a local grievance committee approved their request for a larger pay raise earlier this week.
This adjustment surpasses the 9.2% raise recently approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court and will bring each constable’s annual base salary to $178,509, up from $133,598.
The grievance committee, comprising randomly selected residents, granted each of the eight constables a nearly $45,000 pay boost, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Harris County is divided into eight precincts, each led by an elected constable. The constables had argued that despite a recent 9.2% pay increase for elected officials, including the sheriff and constables, their salaries remained lower than those of chief deputies. This disparity prompted the constables to seek a raise through the grievance process, which allows elected officials to challenge their salaries if they feel they are not adequately compensated.
While some elected officials in Harris County, such as members of the commissioners court and the county attorney, have staff who earn more than they do, the constables contended that this situation is unusual for law enforcement agencies.
“There is no other county in Texas where a law enforcement leader makes less than their subordinates,” Constable Alan Rosen told the committee on Tuesday, per Houston Chronicle. “This is not just about pay parity. It’s about pay equity. It’s about aligning compensation with the stakes involved.”
Constable Mark Herman suggested that their pay should be even higher, ideally matching that of Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who oversees the entire county and the Harris County Jail, reported The Houston Chronicle.
Currently, Gonzalez earns $199,160 and is set to receive the same 9.2% increase as other elected officials.
The constables’ new salary is still below Gonzalez’s but higher than their top deputies. Chief Deputy Mike Lee, the highest-paid sheriff’s deputy, earns $158,101. Harris County deputies received a 7% pay raise in 2023.
“I want to thank the citizens who unanimously voted to give our Constables pay raises at their pay grievance committee meeting today,” Commissioner Tom Ramsey said in a statement to The Texan. “A committee of citizens recognize how valuable they are to keeping our neighborhoods safe. It’s great to see when residents get involved in our county government.”