When Fulton County this year started raising the salaries of its lowest-paid workers, one group was left out: those who work for the county's judicial branch.
Wednesday, Superior Court Chief Judge Gail Tusan came before county commissioners to plead their case for a raise. But the county’s leaders seemed disinclined to provide it — at least not without more work.
There are about 70 employees who make less than $31,000 a year, and would be eligible this year for new pay under the county system, Tusan said. She didn’t think they should be excluded.
“There isn’t any rational reason court employees wouldn’t have the benefit of that relief,” she said. “I absolutely needed to come and speak on behalf of our employees.”
The reason court workers weren't part of the raise, though, is that they aren't part of the county's payroll system. When Fulton County completed a wage and hour study to improve pay parity for workers, the judiciary opted out, Commissioner Bob Ellis said. So, he said, they shouldn't get the benefits of that work until they complete a study of their own.
“I’m empathetic to employees, but it was the court’s decision not to participate,” Ellis said. “I don’t think it’s as simple as, ‘It’s a really simple solution.’”
Tusan said she expected the court’s study to be completed this summer.
Increasing salaries this year would cost $747,000, Fulton chief financial officer Sharon Whitmore said. By 2019, it would cost $879,000. The increase the county already approved, which would raise more than 500 employees to at least $14.90 an hour, will cost $16 million over five years.
That, in part, is because Fulton isn’t just raising the salaries of its lowest-paid workers. Supervisors could also see their salaries go up, as their subordinates make more money.
Commissioner Lee Morris, who voted against the wage increase the first time, said he thought it was a “really bad policy” and wouldn’t support further implementation. But John Eaves, the chairman of the commission, gave Tusan a path forward, telling her to come back to commissioners with a more thought-out proposal, instead of just asking county leaders for the money to raise one group. Commissioner Marvin Arrington also suggested he might support an increase.
A so-called living wage has been increasing in popularity in some governments, as activists have fought for a minimum wage of $15 an hour. Clarkston has that minimum wage. Atlanta has studied the issue.
Also on Wednesday, Fulton County commissioners agreed to spend more than $2 million to help pay for HIV testing in the county.
The grants, paid for by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will help 14 groups test people for HIV and link them to care. Commissioners approved the spending after an uproar from some organizations whose leaders said they were not informed of funding plans.
And the commission feted Vice Chairman Joan Garner, who participated in the meeting via video conference after missing some previous meetings while she was treated for cancer.
“We want to show her the love she so richly deserves,” Fulton commission chairman John Eaves said, before Garner was given a proclamation and received news that a conference room at the county’s new health building was being named after her. She will also have a scholarship named after her that helps students interested in county government and health and human services.
Garner said she was “deeply touched” by the gestures, which usually come “after our life has ended.”
“It really fills my heart and I will carry this with me forever,” she said. “I’m just overwhelmed with joy.”
About the Author
