The Collin County Budget Workshop held on August 5, 2025, focused on the fiscal strategies for the upcoming fiscal year 2026, with an emphasis on prudent financial management and the allocation of resources. The meeting began with discussions led by various judges, highlighting their efforts to optimize the use of non-taxpayer funds, particularly filing fees, to alleviate the burden on the general fund.

One significant point raised was the successful initiative to utilize law library filing fees to purchase legal research licenses, which resulted in a savings of $18,773 that could be returned to the general fund. This approach was praised as a demonstration of the judges' commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

The conversation then shifted to personnel matters, specifically regarding a position change in the Oxcourt. Judge Willey explained that while an approved budget of $86,458 for a coordinator position was in place, an additional request for $9,092 for a position change had not been approved. The discussion underscored the importance of ensuring that court staff are adequately compensated for their roles, especially given the increased responsibilities they have taken on.

Judge Thompson later addressed the issue of judicial salaries, noting that it had been 12 years since district judges received a base pay raise. He pointed out that the recent legislative approval of a 25% raise still left judges behind, as it would take a 35% increase to fully catch up with the raises that should have been granted over the years. The judges requested that the county consider raising the salary supplement cap from $18,000 to $25,000, which would align their compensation more closely with that of their peers in comparable counties.

The judges emphasized their high performance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Collin County courts maintained a 100% clearance rate for cases, contrasting sharply with neighboring Dallas County, which faced challenges in meeting state requirements.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing financial challenges faced by the county while also recognizing the need to support the judiciary adequately. The discussions concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the budget constraints and the potential for future salary adjustments for the judges, reflecting the county's dedication to maintaining effective judicial operations.