Henry County commissioners continued discussion about a pay raise for county staff during their February 1 meeting. Discussion began in December about the pay raise.
As of February 1, Henry County had 306 vacancies across all departments. This is up from 250 vacancies in December. County management proposed the pay raise to help with employee recruitment and retention.
Pay Raise Discussion
Staff’s proposal to provide all employees a 10.5% pay raise failed in December. In January, Chair Harrell asked commissioners to submit their proposals to staff for evaluation and presentation. Staff presented to the board five scenarios this week. They include the following:
- Scenario 1: 10.5% increase to all employees.
- Scenario 2:
- 10% increase to staff earning less than $50k,
- 7% increase to staff earning $50k–$80k,
- 3% increase to staff earning more than $80k, and
- the county conduct an update to its class and compensation study.
- Option 3: 7.5% increase to all employees.
- Scenario 4 / 5: 20% increase to public safety employees, and either an 8% or 6% increase to all other employees.
Each scenario has a varying financial impact to the county. They range from $9 million to $18 million over a 12-month period. Costs are as follows:
- Scenario 1: $13.1 million
- Scenario 2: $9.7 million
- Option 3: $9.3 million
- Scenario 4: $18 million
- Option 5: $17 million
Staff previously expressed the county could support scenario 1 without an increase to the millage rate.
Next Steps
The February 1 meeting had discussion only on the proposed increases. Chair Harrell expressed she would like to see a vote on the item at the next meeting. The board next meets on Tuesday, February 15, at 6:30 pm.
Featured image shows Henry County Admin Building in McDonough. Photo credit Clayton Carte.
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