Last week, The ‘Times’ reported that during the January 21, 2026, meeting of Freestone County Commissioners, they 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 deputies short. 

Sheriff Jeremy Shipley addressed the Court to request the change so Freestone County can be more competitive with salaries from surrounding counties. 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 their January 28, 2026, meeting, Commissioners revisited the subject, and after further number crunching and discussions with the Sheriff’s department, voted to cut two positions (currently vacant) leaving three deputies and one jailer position (to be filled), and setting the starting base pay for deputies at $62,000 (with the supplement).

Also, at the January 28 meeting Commissioners approved the following:

–Minutes of January 21, 2026, regular meeting

–Budget transfers and amendments

–Payroll

–Reports from Judge’s Office

–Special Road Use Agreement

–Addition of Kelsey Atkinson, County Auditor, to bank accounts and other bank related issues.

–Addition of Kelsey Atkinson, County Auditor, to the Investment Committee

During the February 4 meeting, Commissioners approved the following:

–Minutes from January 28, 2026, special meeting

–Budget transfers and amendments

–Bill Pay

–Reports from Teague VFD, Extension Agent, Treasurer

–Special Road Use Agreement

–Application for replat

–Authorization of fireworks sales for Texas Independence Day

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.