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Coffee County approves 3% employee raise; department heads to distribute increases and records to be public
Summary
After extended debate the Budget & Finance committee approved a 3% pay increase for county employees, to be distributed by department heads with dispersal records logged at the mayor's office; commissioners emphasized no county tax increase this year and discussed targeting raises to lower-paid staff vs. across-the-board approaches.
Coffee County commissioners voted June 11 to approve a 3% pay increase for county employees, with department heads responsible for dispersing the funds and documenting disbursements at the mayor's office for public disclosure.
The motion was moved and restated by Commissioner Mr. Malone and seconded by Miss Jones. "I make a motion to have a raise at 3% and to incorporate department-head distribution recorded at the mayor's office," the mover stated during the meeting. Commissioners debated alternatives including tiered raises or restricting increases to employees below the county average salary; several members argued department heads are best positioned to allocate limited dollars to the most impactful employees. One commissioner raised concerns about accountability after past examples where some department heads distributed funds unevenly.
Finance staff said the 3% raise increases the budgeted amount to about $1,944,945. Commissioners discussed fiscal constraints, insurance cost increases (noted as over 10%), and the county's prior-year budget deficit before concluding the raise vote. The committee also confirmed there will be no increase in county property-tax rates this year.
Under the approved plan, department heads will report their dispersal schedules to the mayor's office and these records will be public. Commissioners said the approach balances taking care of county employees with fiscal responsibility for taxpayers.
