happened: The Midland County Commissioners Court met on Tuesday, April 7, and approved a 3–2 change to employee pay policy affecting the Sheriff’s Office, created a new investigator position for the District Attorney’s Office, and debated how much authority the county judge should have over grant decisions.

Key points:

  • Personnel policy: Commissioners voted 3–2 to remove the “2% increase” language from the county’s anniversary pay policy, a change that gives the court more flexibility in how employee raises are structured and aligns the policy more closely with the Sheriff’s Office pay system.

Sheriff David Criner said the department’s current step-based structure ends after 10 steps, which can leave some employees without future anniversary raises, while other county employees continue progressing through a longer pay scale. He said updating the policy would improve retention and help the department better compete with nearby agencies.

“As it’s set, the sheriff’s office, commission personnel, and the jail staff can look at that and say, well, I’m never going to get another raise on my anniversary,” Criner said. “Because the way policy is written, if we tweak that policy, they will get that raise. We can keep these people here for retention.”

Commissioner Steven Villela raised concerns about consistency across departments, noting some law enforcement roles remain on different pay structures. He also said the court already determines raises during the budget process and warned the change could create confusion about how increases are applied.

“We also have law enforcement officers on the old scale, and so we’re treating one law enforcement officer different from another one,” Villela said.

County Judge Terry Johnson said updating the policy now gives employees clarity ahead of the October budget cycle. The measure passed with Johnson, Dianne Anderson, and Jeff Sommers in favor, and Villela and Charles Hall opposed.

  • DA investigator: The court approved creating a new investigator position for the District Attorney’s Office, with debate over how the county should structure it. District Attorney Glenn Harwood requested the position at a higher salary level and said he would initially fund it with forfeiture funds, not the general budget.

Villela pushed back, noting the court typically creates positions at Step 1 and adjusts pay later. Commissioners ultimately allowed the position while maintaining the standard structure, with flexibility for the DA to supplement pay using forfeiture funds. The DA will likely formalize the position in the upcoming budget.

  • Operation Stone Garden: Commissioners approved a federal grant supporting coordination with Border Patrol and ICE. The roughly $60,000 grant includes language designating the county judge as the authorized official to accept, reject, or modify the grant. Villela questioned whether that authority should rest solely with the judge, given the county’s financial responsibility.

The court approved the grant but required that the final application return to the Commissioners Court before submission.

  • State Sen. Sparks: Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing Sen. Kevin Sparks for his appointments as chair of the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee and vice chair of Economic Development and Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs. Sparks thanked the court and said West Texans are generally more focused on solving problems locally than asking the government to solve them for them.
  • Facility turnstiles: The court approved a policy formalizing employee access through newly installed turnstiles at county buildings. Criner described the system as a “fast pass” allowing employees to bypass standard screening after credential verification. The system still requires badge access and applies to employees, elected officials, and outside law enforcement personnel.

  • Flood control: Commissioners approved moving forward with negotiations to purchase property along the South Draw floodway as part of long-term drainage planning. The property is located near Rankin Highway and aligns with previously identified projects under the county’s flood control framework. Officials said acquiring the land would support future drainage improvements in the area.

  • K9 retirement: The court formally recognized the retirement of explosive-detection K9 Mia, who has served the county since 2018 and supported operations across 17 counties, including major events and security sweeps. Commissioners also approved awarding the dog to her handler, Investigator Kevin Bullard.