LAWRENCE COUNTY – The Lawrence County Council voted to approve three percent pay raises for county employees and elected officials across the board, and five percent for the Sheriff’s Department, during a special meeting Tuesday morning.
The council had made it a point to try and include a five percent pay increase for all county employees, which proved to be a challenge when coming to the budget cut process. During a previous meeting, a motion to include a three percent pay increase died for a lack of support, ending in a 3-3 tie.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Sheriff Mike Branham shared information regarding the turnover rate in the department and an attempt to increase retention in the department. Other law enforecment departments in the surrounding area, provide enticing pay that has seen a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies leave for greener pastures. Sheriff Branham encouraged the council for the five percent increase to better attract deputies to stay.
Deputies, Jail Officers, and Dispatchers have seen turnover in the last year, costing the county an estimated $410,543 in those 12 months, which would cost the county more than if they were able to offer a competitive pay amount. The council voted to approve the five percent pay increase for the Sheriff’s Department and three percent for county employees, and elected officials in each department 4-2, with Mike Wright and Rick Butterfield voting no.
Each council member was given a moment to share the reasoning for their vote, and the difficult decision that was made during the budget process for 2023.
“After numerous phone calls, meetings, and losing sleep on making the decision, I want to let everyone know to not take this lightly. We have put a lot of work into what we feel is best for the county, and I wanted to let you know that we appreciate each and every county employee,” said Julie Hewetson.
“It was not a secret on where my stance was on this issue. It disappoints me that we couldn’t get the five percent across the board, but in part of being a team player, I seconded the motion. Thank you for understanding,” Janie Chenault said.
“I feel if we were going to do (five percent), then we should have done it. We felt we were able to include five percent for everyone, and should have voted for that, that is why I voted no,” said Mike Wright.
“I 100 percent agree with Mike, we should have done the five percent across the board for all employees,” Rick Butterfield said.
The council also discussed a change to levees for the county. Each item discussed Tuesday will be implemented during the budget adoption on Thursday, October 6th at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse.
