SAN ANTONIO – County records obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders show the official tapped to oversee the relocation of the Central Magistrate's Office received a nearly $35,000 raise in January, even though Bexar County has yet to reach a deal with the city to take over the facility.
Mike Lozito's 25.8 percent raise pushed his annual salary to $170,364, according to Bexar County records provided through an open records request.
Lozito was also given the new title of director of Judicial and County Intake Services.
He did not respond to a request for an interview for this story.
Last fall, Bexar County officials began a renewed push to take over the Central Magistrate's Office, which is currently housed in the city's Frank Wing Municipal Court building, at 401 S. Frio St..
The prisoner booking facility is run by city detention employees, who since last year have reported to San Antonio police Department Chief William McManus.
The county currently pays 50 percent of the city's detention costs, a scenario that could flip-flop if a deal is reached.
As recently as last week McManus said he was still waiting for answers from county officials about how prisoners would be processed in a timely manner, should SAPD relinquish control of the facility.
A vast majority of the prisoners booked at the facility are brought in by San Antonio Police officers.
"It is something I have voiced concern to the county over. We will continue with those discussions to make sure there are no concerns left on the table," McManus said.
County manager David Smith defended Lozito's raise, calling it the result of a reorganization of duties.
"I think it's fair. It's a negotiated number. Basically, Mike's taking the job of two other people and doing it for 25 percent of his salary," Smith said.
Smith said when the county approached the city about taking over the Central Magistrate's Office a few years ago, he put a senior budget analyst and an assistant to the county manager in charge of the proposal.
This time around, the duties fall under Lozito alone, according to Smith.
Smith confirmed Lozito's raise did not go before county commissioners for a vote, but said key members of the court were briefed on it before it went through.
Lozito's raise is staggering, when compared with pay increases of other county officials made public in recent years.
Eighteen months ago, the county's justices of the peace received 8 percent raises, while the sheriff received a 4 percent pay bump.
Smith said in the most cost-effective scenario, the county would not only take over the magistrate's office, but include the new facility as part of the ongoing $32 million Bexar County Jail expansion.
Smith said for that scenario to play out, the county and city will need to have a deal in place by the end of March.
Other options are to keep the magistrate's office where it is, or build it as a standalone facility.
Any construction on a new facility would take a minimum of two years, Smith said.
Smith said the county already has an increased footprint at the current magistrate's operation compared to previous years.
Prisoners' cases are administered by county magistrate judges, and county employees are currently involved in the identification, assessment, bond recommendation and mental health evaluation processes, according to Smith.
He said Lozito will play a larger role in the handling of prisoners moving forward, even if a deal to take over the magistrate's office does not go through.