DeKalb moves to boost firefighter pay, county minimum wage and workforce programs

Administration told the committee it is proposing a series of workforce investments aimed at retention for first responders and support for low‑wage county employees.

For fire and rescue, HR and fire leadership reported a targeted compensation package: increase entry pay from $53,040 to $55,000, a 20% adjustment for captains (with 10% increases for ranks above to relieve compression), and a $500 monthly housing allowance for about 100 firefighters who live in county. Chief Carter and HR said the moves aim to reduce churn that occurs between years three and nine of service; the administration noted a $3.2M prorated salary adjustment in the fire fund to support these changes.

Separately, the administration proposed raising the county minimum/living wage to $19 per hour (from roughly $17.68), affecting sanitation, parks, libraries and frontline workers. Commissioners asked whether a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) had been built into the budget; officials said not at this time but that midyear review could consider further adjustments.

Workforce and economic development funding of $1.9M was presented for expanded job‑training programs (roughly $1.3M) and an expanded summer youth program ($600,000). Officials said partners include local hospitals, Goodwill and other training providers and that the programs aim to train roughly 300 residents in 12–14 week cohorts.

Next steps: the committee recommended the staffing and program amendments to the full board for inclusion in the operating budget; administration will provide rank‑level impacts and roll‑out details for fire compensation and confirm the living‑wage implementation timeline.