County okays more money for use of personal cell phones on the job

Hays County hopes to cut costs by increasing the county-wide cell phone allowance by $10 a month, a move to encourage employees to use their own cell phones.

On July 17, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to increase the amount of money provided to employees who use their personal cell phones for work from $35 to $45 a month. It had been at least 15 years since the county had adjusted the cell phone allowance, said Clint Garza, the executive director of Countywide Operations.

“We’re trying to encourage employees to move over to an allowance and off of county-issued phones. Paying $45 is still savings to the county,” Garza said.