County JP’s granted $3,000 Raise

Although a Salary Grievance Committee was formed in a special-called meeting last week, Limestone County commissioners opted to avoid the process and instead approved a $3,000 raise for all justices of the peace in a 2-1 vote at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“As some of you know, there was some talk within the JPs, they were asking for a raise and a grievance committee was formed. We were able to visit with the JPs and come to an understanding,” County Judge Richard Duncan said. “I will say that I don’t know who came up with this process on the grievance committee but it’s certainly not a very fair way to do it in my opinion; to put elected officials on the spot. I will say that I’m glad that the JPs were able to reach an agreement.”

Precinct 2 Commissioner Sonny Baker and Precinct 4 Commissioner Bobby Forrest voted in favor of the raise, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Jerry Allen voted against. Precinct 1 Commissioner John McCarver was not in attendance to participate in the vote.

With the raise, Limestone County justices of the peace will have a base salary of $41,104, which is $381 more than the commissioners base pay.

Due to the motion passing, County Auditor Natasha Goodman stated that the change in salaries would warrant the need for the Elected Officials Salary Pay Schedule to be published in the newspaper again to reflect the pay increase.

Commissioners also voted to shuffle funds within the Justices of the Peace Budget so that each precinct had $700 available for conferences and travel, making the total funds equally balanced between the JPs instead of some precincts having more funds available.