Sheriff Leap-Frogs Co. Judge as Highest Paid Elected Official Here

Fayette County published a public notice about elected officials salaries for next year on page C3 of today’s newspaper.

Notably, the Sheriff Keith Korenek’s salary will jump ahead of the County Judge’s salary for the first time, at least in recent memory. That’s due to a new stipend he will receive through the 287(g) program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The $20,770.80 stipend from ICE will bring Korenek’s 2027 salary to $125,342.48.

The next-highest paid County official is the County Judge, who will receive a base salary of $72,834 plus stipends of $31,500 from the state for judicial duties, $5,400 for serving as juvenile judge and $1,200 for serving on the juvenile board. That brings the County Judge’s total salary to $110,943.72.

Several elected officials perform multiple duties for the County and receive additional stipends.

For example, all four County Commissioners receive a base salary of $72,834.72. Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom makes an additional $2,400 for serving as the County’s CDL licensing director, which involves overseeing a drug testing program for County drivers. The other three commissioners all possess commercial drivers license and receive a $1,800 stipend each.

Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Kyle Hartmann receives a base salary of $56,174.17, which is about $1,736 more than the base salary of the other three Justices of the Peace. That’s because Hartmann’s office is located in La Grange and he serves more often as a magistrate at the jail.

All four JPs receive a $3,000 stipend for traveling to perform duties such as inquests. Pct. 4 JP Paul Zapalac also serves as the director and hazardous material coordinator at the Fayette County Recycling Center. For that, he receives an additional $10,400 stipend The four constables receive a base salary of $24,560.17. Pct. 1 Constable Billy Roensch and Pct. 2 Constable both perform traffic enforcement and courthouse security duties for the County. For that, they receive stipends of $18,100. That number includes additional pay for each holding a master law enforcement certification.

The other two constables do not perform traffic enforcement, but they do receive a stipend for courthouse security. Pct. 3 Constable Robert Chambers receives a $8,200 stipend, which includes certificate pay for holding an intermediate law enforcement license. Pct. 4 Constable Jason Strickland has not performed courthouse security in the past, but he expressed interest in doing so next year. Accordingly, the County budgeted him a stipend of $8,600, which includes certificate pay for holding a master law enforcement license.

All elected law enforcement officers are eligible for state salary supplements through Senate Bill 22 if they perform certain duties such as traffic or criminal law enforcement. Sheriff Korenek, Constable Roensch and Constable Wunderlich qualify for that stipend.

Korenek will receive $15,008.47 through SB 22. Constables Roensch and Wunderlich will receive $10,009 from SB 22.