During Tuesday’s Odessa City Council session, officials discussed two key issues: equitable pay for municipal employees and improvements to security at the city courthouse.
As part of the meeting, council members examined the outcomes of a detailed salary analysis carried out by the Gallagher Group. The research evaluated 292 job positions that represent more than 800 city employees, comparing them to equivalent roles in cities such as Austin and Houston. The data showed that Odessa is considerably behind in various areas—by tens of thousands of dollars in some cases.
Both the council and city staff are excited about what’s coming next,” said Councilmember At-large Craig Stoker. “It’s always surprising to learn where we stand in terms of our pay scale, and I believe this provides a solid plan to bring city staff positions into competitive market levels, ensuring our employees are fairly compensated.
The research also featured a practical implementation strategy, including recommended salary modifications and methods to ensure the changes remain cost-effective. For Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick, the survey validated ongoing worries regarding hiring and keeping staff.
It’s challenging to find employees when you’re offering much less than the typical wage,” Hendrick stated. “We’re expecting individuals to haul trash with a CDL license and compensate them $36,000 annually—I believe that’s unreasonable. They should be valued and compensated appropriately, possibly even near oil field wages.
Later during the meeting, the council gave approval for over $140,000 to enhance security measures at the Odessa Municipal Court. This funding will cover new cameras, access control points for badges, and emergency buttons, based on suggestions from a state-mandated security review.
Thirty-five years ago, when I began practicing law, courthouses were the safest places in the world,” Hendrick stated. “Regrettably, the world has turned into a more dangerous place.
A total of 21 doors will have access control systems installed, in addition to 12 panic buttons and seven surveillance cameras. Stoker mentioned that the funding has already been allocated and will assist in bringing the court’s safety measures in line with those of other city departments.
The funds designated for this have already been included in the budget,” Stoker stated. “It falls within the plans the municipal court had already set. It will bring the court in line with the rest of the city and integrate with current security systems.
City authorities state that both projects demonstrate a larger commitment to assist and safeguard individuals who ensure Odessa functions—ranging from essential workers to court personnel and the wider community.
It’s time to implement protective measures,” Hendrick stated. “These are simply precautions to ensure the safety of the public and our staff.
City officials intend to gradually implement salary changes over time in order to remain within financial limits, and the installation of security improvements for the municipal court is anticipated to start later this year.
