Tift County Commission approves pay raises for most county employees, effective March 1

The Tift County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 12 to approve pay increases for county employees, to take effect March 1, 2024. The measure passed 5-0 after the Board reconvened from an executive session on personnel.

The approved package raises pay by 7% for sworn deputy sheriffs, sworn detention officers, sworn investigators, emergency medical technicians, E911 communications officers and firefighters, and by 5% for all other county employees. The increases exclude elected officials, employees funded by grants and positions whose compensation is set by the State of Georgia. The Board also raised entry-level pay rates: 10% increases for deputy sheriffs, detention officers and investigators, and 7% increases for entry-level EMTs, E911 communications officers and firefighters.

Commissioner Paul Webb moved to add consideration of the pay increase to the agenda and later moved for approval; Commissioner Donnie Hester seconded both motions. The vote on the pay package was recorded as 5-0 in favor.

County Manager Jim Carter had previously requested an executive session for personnel; the Board met in executive session before voting on the pay measures. The action does not specify a budget offset in the meeting record; funding details were not provided in the public minutes.

The Board adjourned after completing its business.