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Harris County just approved $45,000 one-time bonuses for each of its eight constables — a move that’s sparking outrage as taxpayers brace for property tax hikes and the county grapples with an $181 million budget deficit. Salaries for constables and the fire marshal are also being bumped up to $305,000 annually, all under pressure from state law HB 4205, which mandates equal pay increases across all law enforcement roles if any group gets a raise — a law that took effect in September 2025. The constables’ pay jumped from $260K to $305K, widening the gap with the sheriff’s already high salary. State Rep. Sam Harless questioned whether this violated the law’s intent, but after months of legal uncertainty, the county and constables reached a mutual settlement — prompting Harless to drop his request for an Attorney General opinion. The fire marshal also received a nearly $50K bonus, though officials remain tight-lipped, citing confidentiality. Only Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo publicly opposed the raises, highlighting the county’s financial strain.
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