Opinion ID: 2364492
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ector County v. Stringer

Text: Martin Stringer served as a constable in Ector County from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1988. During this time, he received a salary of $20 per month for the first forty-five months and $100 per month for a subsequent three-month period. In August 1989, Stringer filed suit requesting additional reasonable compensation for the four-year period, plus expenses and attorney's fees. He also sought an order to require the Ector County Commissioners Court to set reasonable compensation and normal fringe benefits during the time he held office. Following a bench trial, the trial court rendered a take-nothing judgment as to past benefits based on a determination that the court was without jurisdiction to set a salary. However, the trial court made findings that if the Court has the power to determine the constable's salary, a reasonable salary would have been a rate of $1,500 per month. The court of appeals reversed the trial court's judgment holding that the trial court had jurisdiction to consider the claim. Based on the trial court's findings, the court of appeals held that Stringer was entitled to recover judgment in the amount of $80,373.47 for the 48-month period, after allowing credit for the sum previously paid. The court of appeals also held that Stringer was entitled to attorney's fees under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 38.001(1).