Tax hearing

Dawn Tucker had a mouthful for county commissioners Thursday night.

She was one of two that showed up for the county's last public hearing on its proposed 2008-'09 tax rate.

"I don't believe that y'all are concerned about the citizens of Ector County," Tucker told commissioners before blasting them on everything from approving raises for retirees to how department budgets are hashed out.

Tucker had a particularly strong objection to commissioners approving a 3 percent raise for themselves, all other elected officials and all county employees during last month's 2008-'09 budget hearings.

If the county's budget is approved by a final vote Sept. 8, commissioners will have increased their salaries by 45 percent over the last four years.

"I think that's outrageous," Tucker said. "Really outrageous."

Chet Bales, who lost his chance for a commissioner seat during this year's primary election, criticized commissioners for not cutting department budgets enough.

He said the county is "getting into a trap" by approving raises for employees to keep pace with other taxing entities around the state.

"I just know there's money there that can be cut," Bales said.

County Judge Susan Redford said next fiscal year's proposed budget has actually gone through two rounds of cuts.

She said if department heads got everything they asked for, the budget would be $48 million. Right now the number is $41 million, but anything could change come Sept. 8.

"It's always a possibility," Redford said. "I feel certain we'll have to revisit some issues Monday."