County pay hike to mirror that of the schools

Amanda Brock, the Oconee County administrator, concedes that the decision by the public schools to pursue a 4% pay raise for their employees influenced her in recommending the same size of pay increase for county workers. Brock announced at yesterday’s council budget meeting that she wants a 4% across-the-board increase for county workers, including the elected officials, to take effect July 1, the start of a new government year. And she defended her position that the raises should be reflected at the start of the pay period instead of the anniversary dates of individual employees. Councilman Paul Cain questioned Brock as to whether it would be fairer to apply the larger percent of the raises to the workers at the lowest end of the pay scales. As Cain and the rest of the council contemplate the size of the county’s next budget and the tax increase it will require, council has in mind that the turnover in some positions is likely to be salary-related. Brock told the budget committee that to fund the 4% raises the county will have to spend $1.1 million.