Coryell County Adds HR Position

Coryell County commissioners met on Monday with the intention of addressing a $1.7 million budget deficit. However, they agreed to create a human resources position which could add $70,000 in spending for the county.

County Judge John Firth addressed seven large budget requests for commissioners to consider cutting in order to bridge the gap between projected revenues of $11.7 million and expenditures of $13.4 million for the 2014 fiscal year.

One of the items targeted by Firth was $50,000 earmarked for a human resource trainee on the county auditor's staff. The commissioners unanimously voted to add the position following a presentation by Texas Association of Counties human resources consultant Diana Cecil.

An HR manager will be able to improve the efficiency of adding new employees to the system, as well as help with legal issues and liabilities.

Originally, County Auditor Ben Roberts requested hiring a payroll clerk who would be trained in human resources. The commissioners decided to hire an experienced professional, offering a base salary of $55,000, but including benefits which would increase the cost to $70,000.

Commissioners also listened to complaints regarding county roads and a pitch from District Attorney Dusty Boyd for $75,000 for an additional assistant district attorney to help address jail crowding and an overflowing court docket.