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High Springs officials say low pay is driving staff losses; budget trade-offs, utilities rates on the table
Summary
City leaders discussed staff retention problems across public works and police, potential pay increases, and the prospect of higher water, wastewater and fire-assessment charges to fund raises and a priority planner position.
High Springs officials warned that low pay is contributing to staff losses and that the city will face trade-offs between raising employee compensation and increasing fees or taxes as it prepares the next budget.
Mayor Miller said the city is “historically a low paying city” and that neighboring local governments are recruiting away certified staff and police officers. He said the city’s culture and supervisors help retain people but that pay remains a pressing problem.
The discussion focused on three linked budget pressures: staffing shortages and retention, a long-standing need for a planner, and rising utility and fire-assessment costs. Miller said “priority number one is a planner,” and noted that after accounting for salary and benefits…
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