By Dawn Burleigh

dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com

Orange County Commissioners Court held a public workshop Tuesday morning where they heard from elected officials concerning salaries.

During the Tuesday afternoon meeting the court set the proposed salaries for elected county and precinct officials.

Commissioner John Banken disagreed with County Judge Stephen ‘Brint’ Carlton concerning leaving the salaries as is for the time being.

Banken proposed increasing several elected positions while only leaving a few the same such as the County Judge and the Sheriff.

Originally, Banken did not include commissioners in the motion.

“I would like to see the Commissioners at $70,000,” Commissioners David Dubose said. “I will agree to it if you include the commissioners.”

According to Carlton, the changes would increase the expenses between $108,000 – $110,000 for the 2016/2017 fiscal budget.

Commissioner Barry Burton requested the motion to clarify the current commissioners could not receive the increase until the next election.

“We can only vote on what will affect the coming budget,” Carlton said.

The court approved to give all elected officials a raise expect for the county judge, the sheriff, and County Judge at Law 1 and 2. County Judge at Law’s salary are set by the state.

County Judge Carlton and Commissioner Jody Crump voted against the item. It passed with a 3-2 vote.

The proposed salaries must be published in the newspaper as required by Local Gov’t Code 152.013. The final vote for the raises will be on Sept. 13

The salaries can be changed between now and the final vote, but cannot exceed the rates approved by the court on Tuesday.