The raise will cost $173,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year and $300,000 annually once approved, and several positions are exempt from the allowance, including those salaries set by state law, such as County Commissioners, Superior court Judges, and any constitutional officers.
“I really wanted to pass this 2 percent raise along to our employees and staff to really let them know how appreciative I am for all that they have done over the last four years,” said County Commissioner Alvin Long. “Our objective and our goal was to keep our people working, keep them paying their bills, have their insurance remain in tact to be able to take care of their families. That was our main goal and we have done that. We have not lost any jobs. After our audit we have been able to give back benefits. Gordon County is in the best financial condition it has been in for 12 years and we want to show our employees how much they mean to us.”
Long continued on to express his desire for future members of the board to continue to budget wisely to be able to afford this for the employees in the future.
According to Chairperson Judy Bailey, the staff is able to receive this allowance due to the ability to return money to the general fund, after each audit.
“I think our staff is important, they do a good job, and they do save money,” said Bailey. “I have been here eight years and thus far every year they have not gone over budget. I believe in all of us. I believe in us as a community, as a county, as a state and as a nation, and I think that we may still face a few tough times, but I think we will be fine.”
The board unanimously approved the raise for employees Tuesday.
The FY budget increased 1.57%. Offset with money from the general fund.
As for the Federal train wreck, I can agree with everything rt_elms has just said here.
Debt over $16 Trillion
Total Debt including Un-funded Liabilities i.e. Medicare, Social Security and Federal Employees Retirement Benefits $86.6 Trillion (550% of GDP)
Private employment Down.
Government employment Up.
Medicaid/Disability enrollment Up.
Record High Food Stamp rolls.
Obama’s Budget Proposal - $1.6 Trillion in new taxes, MAYBE $400 Billion in cuts later. Wants Congress to relinquish Constitutional authority and give him control over the nation’s statutory borrowing limit. This Presidency is an unmitigated constitutional disaster!!!
Preserve, Protect and Defend - FORWARD!!!
Really, your grasp on reality has no fingers, as this is NOT my project! We’re just along for the ride and Choom-Choom-Obama is driving like its 4:19!
Are we there yet?
Continue forward your perdition project with the same notorious vigor. Don't forget your kitchen foil headpiece and cape.
FORWARD - On to Perdition!
It is just two dead-end, former Chairpersons giving very naughty presents this year.
Both show just how out of touch with reality they are.
I know exactly what "it" is, and I also know "it" was approved unanimously. 2 outgoing board members can't do it alone.
As for my education, I paid 6 figures for it, and worked 6 years to get it. That is irrelevant. Having said that I do not have a problem with helping out the county employees, and the city employees too for that matter when the issue arises. They take care of the jobs that many people will not or cannot do.
I have a nephew that took a job recently with one of the departments, making $9 an hour. You think that is big money? Should we roll them all back to minimum wage? Should we roll back minimum wage?
As far as I am concerned we will just have to agree to disagree and consider this discussion closed.
Republicans often characterized as clowns, Minnesota Democrats actually elected (allegedly) a professional clown.
And everyone thought Al Franken was the only comedian elected.