A Donley County Salary Grievance Committee more than tripled the salary of Precinct 3&4 Constable Randy Bond when it met last Thursday, August 10, rejecting the $1,236 figure set by the Commissioners’ Court and calling for a new annual salary of $3,804.
The unanimous decision of the nine-member committee is binding on the commissioners’ court. A less than unanimous decision would have meant the commissioners only had to “consider” the committee’s decision.
Bond ran unopposed for the vacant constable’s office as a Republican in March of 2022, had no opponent in last year’s general election in November, and took office in January.
County Judge John Howard stated during the committee meeting that the constable’s salary had been reduced in fiscal year 2022 following former constable Doug Wright’s resignation in February of 2021. Howard said Bond knew what the salary was when he ran for the office.
Bond filed legal action against the Donley County Commissioners’ Court seeking a “reasonable salary” for his office in March 2023 but dropped his action in April.
Bond told the committee last week that he was seeking a reasonable salary.
“All I need is a salary that’s reasonable to run this office,” he said.
In a letter to the county, Bond sought a salary of $45,000, which is the same as a Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy.
County Clerk Vickie Tunnell asked Bond during the meeting why he needed a full deputy’s salary when the constable only covers half the county.
“I deserve a deputy’s salary,” Bond said. “How am I expected to do my job?”
During the meeting, Howard asked Bond why he had quit as the county’s chief deputy if he wanted a deputy’s salary. Bond replied that he had stepped away from law enforcement after working a double murder in Howardwick.
During the course of the committee meeting, it was discussed that while Bond’s salary is only $1,236 per year, he still receives health insurance through the county as a county official. However, county employees have to pay about $200 per month of the insurance premium, effectively wiping out his salary and resulting in Bond having to write a check back to the county to cover the insurance.
After consulting with County Treasurer Wanda Smith, the committee unanimously approved a motion by County Tax Assessor Kristy Christopher to set Bond’s salary at $3,804 plus related taxes and retirement costs.
Members of the committee were Judge John Howard, Sheriff Butch Blackburn, County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Clerk Vickie Tunnell, County Treasurer Wanda Smith, County Tax Assessor Kristy Christopher, and members of the public Natrona Barton, Pauline McAfee, Jimmy Hampton, and Melissa Hatley.
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