CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Bee County Sheriff's department has happier jailers and deputies who are about to see a boost in pay on their next paycheck.
Patrol Deputy Gil Arizmendi is one of those excited about getting extra cash on payday.
On Monday however, he was getting ready to head out onto Highway 59 that runs right through Beeville which happens to sit in the middle of that stretch between Mexico and Houston known as 'cartel highway.'
“Drugs coming through, money coming through, guns coming through," Arizmendi said.
He quickly comes across a speeding driver who is heading back to Houston from Mexico, part of his every day work as a deputy.
But on his next paycheck he’s going to see something he doesn’t usually see. A $4,000 raise thanks to Senate Bill 22.
"It’s a blessing cause I have children, I have two boys, I got a wife at home it’s definitely going to pay bills,” Arizmendi said.
Sheriff Alden Southmayd said that SB 22 provided his department with $350,000 this year. The measure is aimed at smaller counties as the state is boosting the pay of jailers and deputies. Once that pay reaches at least $45,000 for deputies and $40,000 for jailers any left over monies can be used to buy equipment.
"Obviously salary increases, equipment those are things we wouldn’t normally be able to afford for at this local level, it’s paid for that.” Southmayd said.
Down in neighboring San Patricio County, Sheriff Oscar Riviera wasn’t able to use the money for salaries because his deputies were already above the minimum. He had also already purchased 13 new vehicles, so he is concentrating on spending his grant money on other vital equipment.
”We purchased radars for all our units they just now came in last week," Riviera said. "We purchased weapons so they can all use standardized weapons and holsters, ammunition and the equipment that goes with it.”
Meanwhile, Bee County deputy Arizmendi will be out on the highways looking to stop illegal contraband and doing it with a $4,000 dollar smile.