Hunt County health department struggles to fill licensed food inspector role; commissioners discuss raising pay
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Summary
County health staff told the July 18 court that the advertised food‑inspector position requires a college degree with at least 30 hours of science and that qualified applicants have been scarce. Commissioners asked staff to gather market comparisons and consider increasing the posted pay to attract licensed candidates.
HUNT COUNTY, Texas — Hunt County health department leaders told the Commissioners Court on July 18 that they have been advertising a food‑inspector position for months without finding qualified applicants, and commissioners asked county staff to research market pay to make the vacancy competitive.
Why it matters: Regular restaurant inspections are a public‑health function. The county’s current staffing shortage has left licensed staff covering multiple duties and the county said inspection frequency is a workload concern.
County staff and elected leaders said the food‑inspector license requires a college degree and 30 hours of science coursework. The court heard that two current employees — Rodney (identified in the meeting as having the required designation) and another staff member — hold the license; another candidate in the county’s recruiting history reportedly declined the job because the county salary offer was not high enough. At the meeting a staff member cited the posted starting pay for the open position as "$63.05" in the record; meeting participants discussed that figure as the advertised rate but also noted the pay and the license requirement may make recruiting difficult.
Commissioners asked county staff (Sandy and others) to consult with the health department, gather pay comparables and recommend a salary that would attract licensed candidates. Several commissioners and staff cautioned that the county cannot create a new position when it cannot fill the existing vacancy but said if a licensed candidate is hired and proves effective, the county can revisit requests for additional staffing.
No formal pay change or new position was approved at the session. Staff were directed to return recommended salary adjustments and comparables as part of the consolidated preliminary budget package.