DeKalb County council adopts 2025 salary and wage ordinance, boosts select elected officials' pay

DeKalb County Council approved the 2025 salary and wage ordinance on second and third readings after suspending the rules to expedite final approval. Council members voted to adopt the ordinance, which implements across-the-board and targeted changes to pay and benefits for county employees and elected officials.

The ordinance applies a general 4% increase "pretty much 4% across the board," with a 6% increase for four elected offices: treasurer, auditor, clerk and recorder, according to discussion during the meeting. Council discussion also approved reclassifying attorneys into a "learned professionals" benefits category and moving certain senior highway and communications positions into a "special occupations" pay category to reflect recruitment and retention concerns.

Council members discussed recruiting difficulties for legal positions. One councilmember said, "The attorneys just don't wanna go to small towns anymore apparently," noting that changes in benefits and categories aim to improve recruitment and retention for the prosecutor’s and public defender’s offices. The council also noted that benefits eligibility could apply to employees who start work on or after Dec. 15 for the following year's staff listings.

Procedurally, the ordinance received an initial approval on first reading, followed by a motion to suspend the rules by Rick Collins, seconded by Amy Dembski; both motions passed by voice vote. A final motion to approve the ordinance on second and third readings was moved by Amy Dembski and seconded by Bill Van Wy; that motion passed by voice vote. The transcript records voice votes of "aye" with no roll-call tallies recorded.

The council is scheduled to meet next on Dec. 11 at 9:00 a.m., and adjourned after approving the ordinance and completing remaining agenda items.