Letcher County Fiscal Court approves 50-cent hourly raise for county employees

Letcher County Fiscal Court on March 28 approved a 50-cent-per-hour across-the-board pay increase for county employees, with the raise to take effect beginning the next pay period.

The court voted to approve the raise after hearing options from staff on percentage and flat-dollar increases and after members discussed budget pressure from jail costs and limited reserve funds. County staff presented preliminary cost estimates and warned the court to consider sustainability before committing larger increases.

Finance figures presented by staff listed a 2% across-the-board raise for all employees estimated at $41,005.40 (salary only). The court discussed alternatives including a 25-cent and a 50-cent raise and a 3% option. Court members repeatedly noted concerns about funding the county jail and the need to preserve reserves; one staff comment said the county had about $350,000 remaining in ARPA funds. Despite those concerns, the court approved the 50-cent raise and directed payroll to implement it beginning with the next pay period.

Kenny Anderson moved the motion to approve the 50-cent-per-hour increase; a second was recorded but the transcript does not specify who seconded. The motion passed on a recorded vote of the court; the transcript records members affirming the motion and confirms the raise will start with the next pay period.

Court members and staff said they intend to revisit compensation next year if finances allow. County staff also noted that payroll and budgeting details (for example, how the increase affects benefits and starting wages) will be handled administratively.

The court did not identify a dedicated ongoing funding source for the increase during the meeting; members referenced general fund constraints and the county's jail costs as primary budgetary pressures.