In accordance with Texas Government Code 54A.004, an Associate Judge shall be paid a salary determined by the Commissioners Court of the County in which the Associate Judge serves.

Currently, the County's Financial Policy outlines the following with regard to Associate Judge Pay: "Appointments to the bench by the Judiciary are subject to a cap of 90% of the statutory minimum salary of a county court at law judge which is no less than $1,000 less than a district judge from all sources (state salary and local supplement)."

In accordance with HB2384, under the 86th Texas Legislature, legislative changes were made to judicial compensation at various levels. During the recent budget hearings for FY20, the Court agreed to pay its County Court at Law Judges in the following tiered levels based on their years of experience:

• 0-4 years:   $157,000/year
• 4-8 years:   $171,000/year
• 8-12 years: $185,000/year
• 12+ years:  $193,400/year

This policy recommends changes to the salary structure of Associate Judges by compensating all Associate Judges at 90% of the base salary of a County Court at Law Judge with comparable years of service. If approved, Associate Judges would be paid in the following tiered levels based on their years of experience:

• 0-4 years:   $141,300/year
• 4-8 years:   $153,900/year
• 8-12 years: $166,500/year
• 12+ years:  $174,060/year