DeKalb County commissioners approved a $1.27 billion mid-year budget Tuesday that gives targeted raises to public safety employees, increases funds for removing blighted properties, and eliminates deficits.
This budget achieves CEO Mike Thurmond’s goal of reducing spending and eliminating a projected $26 million end-of-year deficit. The county will save all of its new revenue, $21 million, rather than spend it.
“This in particular increases our financial stability and financial integrity,” Thurmond said. The savings will increase the county’s reserve account to one month’s worth of operational funding.
The targeted pay raises for nearly 1,000 police officers, firefighters, and 911 employees will cost $1.6 million for the last four months of the year and $4.8 million annually. Their salaries will be raised by an average of $5,275 a year.
Thurmond said the targeted raises are based on skills and experience and will go to public safety employees who are underpaid compared to their peers in other counties. The compensation plan is designed to curb employees bolting DeKalb for better-paying jobs elsewhere.
“We couldn’t afford to do the 20 percent raises across the board,” Thurmond said. “But in 2018 we are going to be looking broader at how we can give all 6,000 public employees fair and equitable wages.”
The budget also includes $1.2 million to remove litter, board up vacant buildings, hire an additional attorney to the Solicitor General’s office and code enforcement officers, and demolish blighted properties.
Pending inclement weather, demolition will begin on the blighted Brannon Hill Condominium properties on Thursday, July 13.
Commissioner Nancy Jester was the only one to vote against the budget.
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