County rejects GCSO livestock officer request

Examiner reporter (Commissioners Court 2 of 2)

At the May 3 Regular Meeting of Grimes County Commissioners Court, commissioners declined to take action on Chief Deputy Martha Smith’s request to fill the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office vacant Livestock Officer position with a currently employed fulltime peace officer. The court did, however, approve her second request, the creation of a fulltime civilian GCSO Business Manager position.

According to Human Resource Director Talitta Coleman, Smith requested both positions be filled immediately, and they were two of several salary structure items brought to commissioners by Coleman.

Enforcement capabilities Under Texas statute, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the law enforcement of livestock. The position became vacant following the unexpected death of James Randall (Randy) Cleere, III, a 20-plus year GCSO employee and civilian who served in a parttime capacity.

In her presentation, Smith explained that a fulltime TCOLE certified peace officer in the role of Livestock Officer would have the authority to write citations, make arrests and the ability to patrol when not on livestock calls.

As a civilian, Cleere did not have that authority and had to pull a deputy off patrol to write a citation or call the Texas Special Rangers or the Criminal Investigation Division when criminal activity was involved.

Though the parttime civilian position would be eliminated, a fulltime deputy constitutes a ‘new’ position for budget purposes. Funding a fulltime deputy through the end of this budget year would require an additional $14,500 which Smith would supplement from her hourly fund, and then budget $42,000 for FY 2023-24.

Auditor Jessi Murphy clarified that salary includes the cost of equipment and all benefits.

Financial responsibilities According to Coleman, the Business Manager’s “sole responsibility” would be their authority over clerical staff, the sex offender registrar and oversight over the GCSO budget, vehicle maintenance schedule, bond intake, assisting with grants and act as the direct purchasing agent.

Stressing the need for a civilian in this position as opposed to the past practice of a peace officer, Coleman said, “People who are currently in law enforcement, when something happens, they’re not going to worry about budget stuff. They’re going to where the crime is or where they’re needed. It gets pushed off to the back burner.”

Referring to having dissolved this position and redistributing the duties before and the current open deputy positions, Commissioner Barbara Walker said, “This is definitely a position to me that’s more important than your livestock officer being a deputy. We need deputies not only chasing cows but we still have positions that are open that we haven’t filled.”

Business Manager salary requirements through Sept. 30 are $35,000 with $72,000 to be budgeted in FY 2023-24. Current funding would come from unused salary set aside for the four vacant deputy positions.

“A real need”

Smith said, the Livestock Officer responds to more than 1,000 calls per year related to animal estray, animal bites, animal cruelty cases and some criminal cases (cattle theft).

Smith told commissioners, “They are specialized in helping with animal calls. This would alleviate our patrol deputies to focus on those high profile calls they need to be at.”

Smith reviewed staffing and said that despite the four openings, her office has hired 15 new officers within one year and has fulfilled her goal of three officers patrolling each shift. She advised that while they have applicants, they’re focused on hiring qualified applicants. Coleman added that some of the open patrol positions are due to promotions, for example, to a Criminal Investigation Division position.

Walker called taking funds from the four open positions to create two new positions “a large ask” and favored sticking with a parttime civilian.

County Judge Joe Fauth suggested the GCSO determine how they’ll handle job assignments and calls and the court will focus on the Business Manager.

Commissioner David Tullos said, “There’s a very real need for a law enforcement officer who is tasked fulltime with just enforcing the statutes pertaining to animal control. It’s a bargain for us and I don’t think we should lightly dismiss it. I think they’re of equal importance in value.”

DA, maintenance adjustments

In separate actions, commissioners approved to consider during the budget process, the district attorney’s request to move their Grade 5 clerks to Grade 1 Paraprofessionals and move a Grade 2 Paraprofessional Investigator position to a Grade 3 Paraprofessional Chief Investigator. They also approved to consider a Grade 5 to Grade 8 adjustment in the Maintenance Department due to additional duties associated with the historic courthouse.

Meetings may be viewed in their entirety at https://grimescountytx. granicus.com.