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Heard County commissioners consider $2-an-hour raise as they review FY2026–27 budget
Summary
At a May 11 work session, the Heard County Board of Commissioners reviewed the proposed FY2026–27 budget and debated a possible $2.00-per-hour across-the-board pay increase (estimated at about $1 million). Commissioners also discussed extending probation, formalizing evaluations, fuel-cost impacts and leave-policy changes; no formal action was taken.
The Heard County Board of Commissioners reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget at a work session on May 11, where commissioners focused on employee compensation, personnel-policy changes and rising operating costs.
"This work session was called to review and discuss the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026–2027," Chairman Tracy McCormick said at the outset of the meeting. The board examined departmental budgets and identified training and certification needs as the primary drivers of requested increases.
The most closely watched proposal was a possible $2.00-per-hour across-the-board pay increase that board members discussed as a tool to address recruitment and retention challenges. Commissioners said staff estimated the measure would cost roughly $1,000,000 if implemented countywide. Commissioners debated how to balance equity for long-term employees with the need to make the county more competitive for new hires.
Commissioner Curtis Mock, Commissioner James Perry, Commissioner Iris Harris, Commissioner Larry Hammond and Commissioner David Walls joined the discussion, raising staffing pressures in high-turnover areas such as the jail, fire department and recreation. Commissioners said surrounding counties are hiring aggressively and that the county incurs costs training employees who then accept higher-paying positions elsewhere.
Finance Director Felicia Adams provided budget context and annualized fuel-expenditure figures, noting gasoline and diesel price increases are affecting Roads, EMS and other heavy-use departments; the Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management Agency were described as still operating within their current budgets, while some departments are trending higher due to increased activity.
Board members also discussed personnel-policy changes intended to support a future merit-pay system. They noted the county's current 60-day probationary period may be extended to six months during an upcoming personnel-policy update, and that the existing evaluation form ("exceeds, meets, or does not meet expectations") lacks a mechanism for tying ratings to pay adjustments. Commissioners said the county should first stabilize pay levels before rolling out a formal merit program.
The board reviewed leave policies, including the 240-hour PTO cap and the current practice of paying out unused leave at 50 percent of value. Commissioners expressed interest in allowing full-value payouts and in establishing a mechanism for employees to donate leave to coworkers in hardship situations; staff said only three employees remain on an older leave system that allowed higher accruals.
The Recreation Department received praise for improved field conditions and stronger-than-expected concession and tournament revenues; pending deposits were reported as likely to meet or exceed annual projections.
No formal votes or salary decisions were made during the work session. The board scheduled its next budget meeting for May 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. The work session adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
(Reporting note: statements and figures above are drawn from the May 11, 2026 Heard County Board of Commissioners work session transcript. Where the transcript recorded estimated costs or preliminary staff estimates, the article uses the same qualifying language.)
