Some government workers in the state's wealthiest county can look forward to pay raises averaging 7.3 percent next year.

The 1,288 employees who work for Forsyth County government have been approved to receive 4.3 percent cost of living increases and merit raises averaging 3 percent.

The raises would be effective Jan. 1 and would boost the county's annual payroll costs by about $4.3 million, to about $84 million, said William J. Thomas, the county's chief financial officer.

The county commission voted 4-0, with one member absent, for the raises Tuesday, but not before some acknowledgement of the county's economic Catch-22.

"We're kind of in a hard place here," retiring County Commissioner Linda Ledbetter said.

"You know the county's income is down and is probably going to be down the next year. Yet, you can't keep good people if you don't pay them well."

Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse at one point questioned whether the county should be giving out sizable raises, when it could end up having to eliminate jobs.

"From my standpoint, I think everybody prefers you have as full of employment as you can," he said.

Last month, commissioners were told that the county could be looking at a potential general fund deficit of $6.8 million this year — largely attributed to the housing slump and the economic downturn.

The forecast was based on the first three months of the year, when impact fees, building permit fees and sales tax collections all were down.

So far, there's been no talk of layoffs at the county. But as has occurred in governments across the state, there has been discussion of a hiring freeze and some project delays.

County Commissioner Jim Harrell said the 2009 raises should help most employees keep "ahead of inflation.

"If you've done a pretty good job for the county, you should be in good shape," Harrell said.

All employees of the county will receive the 4.3 percent COLA.

The merit raises, also known as pay-for-performance raises, will be based on employee evaluations and will vary but average 3 percent.

Their raises are better than the 2.5 percent increases that employees of the county school system are slated to receive.

The city of Cumming sets its employee raises for next year in the fall. This year, city workers received a 4 percent cost of living increase.

Forsyth County is ranked as Georgia's wealthiest county, based on per capita income. Forbes.com earlier this year said it's the 13th wealthiest county in the U.S.