The DeKalb County Commission pushed through millions in spending Thursday on raises for police officers and firefighters, a new library, two senior centers, park improvements and more.
The commission voted 4-3 to approve the expenses as part of the county's $1.32 billion annual budget.
More than 60 police, fire and other government employees packed the commission meeting, saying they need more competitive salaries to prevent continued losses of experienced personnel to nearby jurisdictions.
The budget calls for about 2,800 DeKalb employees — nearly half the county's workforce — to receive raises of at least 4 percent starting in May at a cost of $5 million. The pay increases will go to police, fire, 911, sanitation and watershed employees. Additional pay adjustments will be considered when the county revisits its 2016 budget in July.
The county government will also fund construction of the Wade Walker Library, an intergenerational center at Tobie Grant Park and the Lithonia Senior Center. In addition, the budget pays for parks maintenance, library books and sidewalks. These projects are being funded through $28 million gained over the next two years by restructuring bond payments with lower interest rates.
Commissioners supporting the budget said residents have been promised additional facilities for years, and with a majority on the commission, they said now was the time to fund them.
But commissioners opposing the spending plan said it was unwise because it drains governmental reserve funds and burdens taxpayers with future financial obligations. In all, the budget spends about $5 million more than the county expects to receive from tax funds this year.
Commissioners Sharon Barnes Sutton, Larry Johnson, Mereda Davis Johnson and Stan Watson voted for the budget; Commissioners Kathie Gannon, Nancy Jester and Jeff Rader voted against it.
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