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Dougherty County approves EMS bonuses, raises hourly pay to $24.50 and accepts trauma grant
Summary
To address critical staffing shortages, the county approved a finance-committee recommendation to raise EMS pay to $24.50 per hour, provide lump-sum bonuses for returning staff, and apply for a $12,460 Georgia Trauma Commission equipment reimbursement grant (100% grant, no local match).
The Dougherty County Commission approved a package of measures aimed at stabilizing EMS staffing, including a recommended hourly pay rate increase to $24.50, lump-sum bonuses to retain and attract personnel, and a request to apply for a Georgia Trauma Commission equipment reimbursement grant worth $12,460.
County administration told the board the EMS compensation package would be funded from the general fund contingency and that the $24.50 target "would put us right there on par with every other, local EMS service around our community." The proposal included lump-sum bonuses for former employees Sam Allen (EMS director) said he could recruit back; administration estimated four or five potential returnees. The board confirmed the compensation adjustments apply specifically to the EMS department.
Separately, the commission approved staff's recommendation to apply for the Georgia Trauma Commission reimbursement grant for trauma-related equipment in the amount of $12,460. Staff stated the grant is "a 100% grant with no local match." Both the grant application and the compensation package were approved by the board.
Commissioners debated broader fairness issues: one commissioner asked whether employees in other departments who recently returned to county work should also receive similar lump-sum payments; commissioners generally agreed that any broader policy should be considered separately through the committee process.
Next steps call for administration and finance staff to implement the compensation changes, finalize funding transfers, and process the grant application.
