Austell city employees may be receiving a five percent increase to their pay for the second year in a row.

However, their healthcare premiums might increase by 10 percent, beginning on Jan. 1.

Also, in the city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget, 10 more employees will be hired for the Public Safety, Dispatch and Parks Departments.

These increases will be funded primarily by anticipated additional revenue of $480,000 from franchise fees from the Austell Gas System, according to the city’s Finance Director Denise Soesbee.

The first public hearing was held on May 6 by the City Council with no one from the public making any comment.

The second and final public hearing and vote will take place at 7 p.m. June 3 at Austell City Hall, 2716 Broad St. SW.

In effect July 1 to June 30, 2020, the FY2020 general fund budget is proposed to increase by 14 percent to be $9,625,146.

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff