County officials clarify payroll policies for disaster response ahead of Tuesday court meeting

In a special session held on July 11, 2025, the Williamson County Commissioners Court addressed critical policies related to employee compensation in the wake of a recent disaster. The meeting focused on clarifying how various policies would apply to county employees who responded to the emergency, particularly concerning payroll processing for the upcoming pay period.

The discussion began with an overview of the essential personnel leave policy, which typically applies during declared office closures. However, it was determined that this policy would not be applicable in this instance, as the county had not officially closed during the disaster, which occurred over the weekend. This decision highlighted the challenges faced by county officials in navigating employee compensation during emergencies.

The court also reviewed policies regarding overtime pay for nonexempt personnel. It was noted that many departments had already utilized paid overtime for employees responding to the disaster. The payroll manager indicated that funding for this overtime was likely available within departmental budgets, and the county is awaiting further clarity on potential federal reimbursements through FEMA, which could cover up to 75% of these costs.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the catastrophic event pay policy, which allows for compensation of exempt employees who work beyond their normal hours during a declared disaster. The court is still gathering data on hours worked to formulate a recommendation for compensation under this policy.

The session concluded with expressions of gratitude towards the county staff for their efforts during the emergency, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal guidelines while managing the complexities of disaster response. The court plans to reconvene next Tuesday to finalize decisions regarding employee compensation and ensure that all departments are properly accounted for in the payroll process.