LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
April 2, 2001
TO: Honorable Tom Ramsay, Chair, House Committee on County
Affairs
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB3440 by Gallego (Relating to the compensation of
county sheriffs.), As Introduced
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* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
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All Funds, Six-Year Impact:
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) to *
* Year General Revenue Fund Counties *
* 0001 *
* 2001 $(41,717) $41,717 *
* 2002 (500,598) 500,598 *
* 2003 (525,627) 525,627 *
* 2004 (551,908) 551,908 *
* 2005 (579,503) 579,503 *
* 2006 (608,478) 608,478 *
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The first table assumes an effective date of July 1, 2001. The second
table assumes an effective date of September 1, 2001.
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*Fiscal Probable Savings/(Cost) from Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) to *
* Year General Revenue Fund Counties *
* 0001 *
* 2002 $(458,882) $458,882 *
* 2003 (525,627) 525,627 *
* 2004 (551,908) 551,908 *
* 2005 (579,503) 579,503 *
* 2006 (608,478) 608,478 *
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Technology Impact
None.
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would provide a state supplemental salary for sheriffs in
counties with a population of less than 20,000. The supplemental salary
amount is not specified but would be that provided in the General
Appropriations Act. If the sheriff waives the supplemental salary, the
amount provided from the General Appropriations Act would be used for
expenses of the county sheriff's office.
The bill would go into effect immediately if it receives the requisite
two-thirds vote in both houses; otherwise, it would become effective
September 1, 2001.
Methodology
According to the 2000 census, 137 Texas counties have a population of
under 20,000. Of those 137 counties, the average population is 8,234.
The smallest county in the state is Loving County with a population of
67. Loving County pays its sheriff $32,178 annually and contributes 14.6
percent to the sheriff's pension. Presidio County, with a population of
7,304, is in the middle of these 137 counties. Presidio County pays its
sheriff $29,334 and a pension contribution of 6 percent. Lavaca County,
with a population of 19,210, would be the largest county in this group.
Lavaca County pays the sheriff $32,101 and contributes 8.2 percent to the
sheriff's pension fund.
Using the amounts provided by the cited sample counties, it is assumed
that the average salary and benefits of a sheriff in the applicable
counties would be $36,540 per year. Assuming for illustrative purposes
that the state supplemental salary was 10 percent ($3,654) of the total
salary and benefits package and multiplying that amount times the 137
eligible sheriff's departments, the state would incur an expense of
$500,598 the first full year the provisions of the bill would be
implemented. If the bill were to go into effect immediately, one month
of supplemental pay is assumed (August 2001). If the bill were to go
into effect September 1, 2001, eleven months of supplemental pay is
assumed in fiscal year 2002, with an annual increase of 5 percent for
each year thereafter.
Local Government Impact
Under the assumption that the state would provide each of the 137
counties with a supplement of 10 percent of the sheriff's salary and
benefits, each would receive $3,654 the first full year of
implementation, with a 5 percent increase each of the next five years.
Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff: JK, DB, WP