Photo credit: Facebook

What to watch: The Midland County Commissioners Court will meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, to consider raises for Sheriff’s Office employees who were left out of this year’s pay increases and whether to lift the county’s 90-day burn ban.

Commissioners will also consider contracts for the new Juvenile Justice Center and a $2.36 million state anti-gang grant budget amendment.

Key points:

Midland’s top stories. One quick email. Free, every Tuesday.
Get Midland Wrapped, our free weekly email for busy Midland residents. Each Tuesday, we break down the week’s most important local stories — what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next — so you can stay informed without the noise.
  • Sheriff’s Office raises: Commissioners will consider employees who were left out of the 2% fiscal year pay increase and the additional 2% increase tied to employee evaluations. The agenda does not specify how many employees were affected or the cost. In September commissioners approved a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees with at least one year of county service. Employees earning $50,000 or less annually will receive a 4% increase.
  • Burn ban: Commissioners will consider lifting the 90-day burn ban enacted in September. The ban restricts outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of Midland County.
  • Juvenile Justice Center: Commissioners will consider two work orders with Magrym Consulting for materials testing and inspection services at the new Juvenile Justice Center. Costs were not included in the agenda. The court approved a $46.4 million construction contract in September for the 40-bed facility. Commissioners will also consider a master service agreement for materials testing.
  • Anti-gang grant: Commissioners will consider adding $2.36 million in state grant money to the county budget for the Texas Anti-Gang Center in the Permian Basin, a regional law enforcement unit based at the Sheriff’s Office. The money comes from the state, not county taxes. The agenda does not say how the money will be spent.
  • Jail body cameras: Commissioners will consider a quote from Axon Enterprise for 44 more body cameras for the Detention Center, added to the county’s existing agreement. The agenda does not list the cost.
  • County vehicles: Commissioners will consider installing GPS tracking on all county vehicles except those used for narcotics operations. They will also consider allowing each constable to decide which vehicles in their fleet may be unmarked. The issue follows an Oct. 20 discussion about a constable’s request for unmarked vehicles. A commissioner raised the request and was told it was a separate matter. Commissioners will also consider vehicles and equipment for the Road and Bridge Department. Purchases include GPS survey equipment and two belly dump trailers. Other items include an Animal Control vehicle and mobile radios along with a total loss offer for a Medical Examiner’s vehicle.
  • Animal Control: Commissioners will hear an update on Animal Control operations. The court previously considered moving the department to Emergency Management in August.
  • Retirement plan: Commissioners will again consider the county’s 2027 retirement plan. The court delayed a decision Oct. 20 while staff calculated the cost of a 2% cost-of-living increase for retirees. The last increase was in 2022.
  • TIRZ boards: Commissioners will consider appointing two members of the court to represent the county on the City of Midland’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 3 and 4 boards.
  • Personnel: Commissioners will consider the Medical Examiner job description and funding for a System Support Specialist position in the IT Department. They will also consider appointing Lorena Garcia as a deputy constable for courthouse security in Precinct 2. The court will also consider budget amendments for a TEMAT deployment by Justin Bunch. The item was tabled Oct. 20.