Some elected officials getting big raises as Harris County faces possible property tax hike

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- At a time when Harris County homeowners could soon be paying hundreds more in property taxes, elected officials are weighing a pay bump that could increase their salary by more than $100,000.

For Harris County homeowners, Commissioner Tom Ramsey had a warning at this week's court meeting about what could be coming.

"The tax rate we will be considering in just a few short weeks is probably the greatest tax rate increase in the history of Harris County," Ramsey said.

The budget director said the county faces a $130 million deficit. Because of it, he plans to propose a property tax increase.

It's not the only thing that could be going up. Commissioners approved increasing the salaries for the county attorney, district attorney, county clerk, district clerk, and tax assessor-collector to $305,000. It's a figure that would put those officials ahead of others across the state.

In Dallas County, which is the second-most-populated county behind Harris County, all but the district attorney make more than the current Harris County positions. However, they would be left with the pay bump.

To get the raise, commissioners say it'll be up to each official. So, ABC13 asked them.

The county clerk says she won't take it. Abbie Kamin, who's temporarily serving as county attorney but also on the ballot to get the job permanently, says she's unsure.

Eyewitness News didn't hear back from the district clerk and tax assessor-collector. Only DA Sean Teare said he plans to take the pay bump.

ABC13 asked if this could impact other items in the DA's budget. After all, this week he says he needed $2.5 million to investigate last month's deadly shooting involving an ICE agent. Eyewitness News didn't receive a response.

"I want to stress. These elected offices are to take this money out of their existing budgets," Commissioner Rodney Ellis explained. "This is not additional money. Let them do it out of their existing budgets, and if they don't want to take it, don't take it. They can let their successor take it if they chose to do so."

Whether it comes from the general fund or their own budgets, it's all your tax dollars. Keep in mind, nothing at this point is a done deal. Commissioners will consider a new budget by October.