San Antonio Eviction Lawyer - Bexar County Eviction Attorney Trey Wilson wrote:
Two JP's representing Bexar County's six justices of the peace appeared before the Salary Grievance Committee to request a 13.2% salary raise. The increase would give the five full time judges an annual salary of $101,125 and the one part-time judge would receive $73,423 for the next fiscal year.
A citizens panel approved the request to support the 13.2 percent raise, but the county commissioners have indicated they'll reject it. Commissioners earn $111,747 annually. The commissioners have stated they would not accept any pay raises exceeding 2 percent.
Nelson Wolff, County Judge, indicated that a more appropriate raise would be the same percentage rate that other county employees or elected officials receive.
Rogelio Lopez, Precinct 4 JP, says that their request isn't unreasonable. He is asking to be paid "what other judges across the state are being paid." In counties where the population is $200,000 or more, justices of the peace earn $105,000, according to Lopez. He and five other judges agreed on the $101,125, which takes the San Antonio cost of living into account. Lopez couldn't explain how he justified why the JP's should receive a higher raise than anyone else, nor did he include the fees they received for the weddings when he presented his grievance.
Justices of the peace in Bexar County handle Class C misdemeanors, civil cases up to $10,000, auto accidents, and evictions. They also perform weddings, but are paid separately for weddings.
The commissioners court meets on August 6, which could be when they'll decide on the pay raises.
