During their January 14, 2026 meeting, Freestone County Commissioners initially voted to update Sheriff Deputies’ starting salary to $62,000 – base pay plus supplemental monies from SB22 Grant funding – a change made to hopefully recruit deputies to the Sheriff’s Department, which is currently five (5) deputies short. Sheriff Jeremy Shipley addressed the Court to request the change so Freestone County can be more competitive with salaries from surrounding counties.
“This is the first time in all my years that I have felt I have gotten this much support from Commissioner’s Court,” said Shipley. “This will boost morale and these guys deserve it! Thank you!”
However, after the County Auditor and Treasurer crunched numbers, Commissioners voted to rescind the motion, effectively cancelling that approval and then tabled the agenda item to a future meeting.
During the same meeting, Commissioners introduced the newly hired County Auditor, Kelsey Atkinson. She steps into the role following the tragic passing of previous Auditor, Dana (Tate) Maggard.
Also approved during the meeting were the following:
–Minutes from January 14, 2026, special meeting
–Budget transfers and amendments
–Bill Payment
–Reports from County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Miscellaneous Reports
–Notice of Election for General Primary Election
–Acceptance of Freestone County Sheriff’s Office Racial Profiling Report
Freestone County Commissioners include Andy Bonner (Pct. 1), Will McSwane (Pct. 2), Richard McGowan (Pct. 3), Clyde Ridge, Jr. (Pct. 4), and Lloyd Lane (County Judge).
Their regularly scheduled meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the 2nd-floor courtroom.
Meeting dates and agendas can be found online at www.co.freestone.tx.us/page/freestone.PublicNotices.
You can view their meetings on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIetX9uPjTFiTnXLrHpzfA.
