HOUSTON – After the Houston Police Department boosted pay for officers, agencies across the region are scrambling to keep up and keep their people from leaving for better-paying departments.

On Thursday, Harris County commissioners voted to give some of their top law enforcement leaders a major raise even as the county faces a $200 million budget deficit. The raise wouldn’t happen unless next year’s budget passes in September.

R EAD MORE: Harris County commissioners vote 3-2 to give constables raises

Harris County’s eight constables currently earn about $178,000 a year. Under the proposal, their pay would jump to $293,000 a 63% increase. Commissioners also approved a plan to bring the sheriff’s salary in line with Houston’s police chief.

The pay hikes passed in a 3-2 vote. Commis

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