Being a County Constable is not a lucrative job.
And the county commissioners have decided to take away a perk from the last constable who has it…Henry Jackson of Precinct One.
For years, Smith County constables got a car allowance. It was treated as salary, and they were to buy and maintain a car of their own.
Now it totals $17,000 a year.
Tuesday in Commissioner’s Court, they decided to take it away and give the Constable a county vehicle.
Only one constable still gets the money…Precinct One’s Henry Jackson.
Jackson says they agreed to phase it out as each constable retired, was voted out or in the case of Frank Creath, passed away. So why not wait for him?
Jackson suspects race may play a role.
Commissioner Jeff Warr says it was nothing personal.
Commissioner Terry Phillip’s son Derek works for Jackson and has been suspended for his conduct.
Jackson doesn’t want to think it’s retaliation.
But despite Commissioner Hampton’s objections...the vote was taken and the policy was changed.
Jackson told us he heard from Commissioner Carey Nix after the meeting denying there was any racial motivation.
Jackson said that may be true, but the result has a racial impact.