GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County's four Justice of the Peace judges trickled in one by one.
It's a moment they did not want to miss as County Commissioners voted on next year's budget.
For months the judges have been talking with commissioners and County Judge Bill Gravell about relief as they juggle court dockets and growing death investigations.
Tuesday morning, they said they were heard.
Williamson County Commissioners moved forward with the hiring of death inquest specialists. Commissioners budgeted $309,083.72 for four death investigators — one would be a supervisor. The new hires will work alongside the JPs and will take death calls, go to scenes and prepare reports.
"Today is a monumental achievement for the Williamson County Justices of the Peace. We each will be getting a full-time death investigator," said Judge Evelyn McLean, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 3 "I do want to say thank you to the Commissioners Court, because they heard the need that we had — they took action."
McLean added that this will give them time back in their courtrooms because they won't be traveling all over the county on death calls at all hours of the day and night.
The four judges first shared concerns about the need for a medical examiner with KXAN investigators in March. They pointed to data which shows death cases across the county have increased by 122% over the past decade and include everything from natural causes, suicides and overdoses to murders.
"Ultimately having judges back on the bench, hearing cases in the courtroom and having skilled death investigators in the field responding to the scenes across the county serves the public. And it's such a great day for Williamson County not only to have the leadership of the Justice of the Peace, but the partnership of the Commissioners Court," explained Judge KT Musselman, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1.
Texas law requires counties to establish a medical examiner’s office when the population hits 2.5 million, but a county commissioners court may create one at any time. Gravell said this is the first step as the county eventually looks to establish an ME's office over the next several years.
The judges said they look forward to being part of discussions with commissioners and Gravell.
"We're so grateful that we have taken this first step, because without them, we wouldn't be moving forward. So very appreciative to Commissioner's Court. We absolutely look forward to working with them on the next steps," said Judge Rhonda Redden, Williamson County Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4.
The county administrator would hire the death investigators starting in January. As part of the budget the new hires would also get uniforms and share a vehicle.
Neighboring Travis County has long established its ME's office and has a series of jobs, which focus on death investigations from a chief who manages the investigation division to investigators who handle cases. The salaries range depending on the positions from nearly $60,000 a year to more than $120,000.
