HEFLIN :The Cleburne County Commission on voted against adopting one version of its fiscal 2016 budget, but will reconsider the document again next week. The budget the commissioners turned down included a raise for county employees, dozens of whom showed up to ask that they pass it.The commissioners will discuss the budget again then hold another vote on it Sept. The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
The raise amounted to a 3 percent cost-of-living increase and a 50-cent-per-hour raise for all employees of one year or more. Commissioners a week ago had asked that the raise be removed into a separate resolution. That resolution died for lack of support.The raises would cost the county $179,323, according to county Administrator Steve Swafford .Last week, Commissioner Emmett Owen said he was concerned the county would be borrowing money to clean up a fuel spill at the county equipment barn and suggested the money for the salary increases would be better used for that work.
The comment drew about 50 employees to the meeting.“We love our county. We love our jobs,” said Vanessa Ivey, a member of the county Probate Office staff. “We just feel like we get pushed aside for other agendas.”She and other employees said that they don’t expect a raise every year, but their costs such as insurance have increased and the raise would help cover that.Melinda Daniel, a member of the Revenue Office staff, is a senior employee who has reached the top pay for her position.
She requested the commissioners approve a proposed increase in the pay cap to 150 percent of the base pay for a position. The cap is currently 135 percent.Crystal Cavender, the county’s human resource officer, asked the commissioners to consider the experience and professionalism the county’s employees bring to their jobs.
