The more than 2,000 people employed by the City of Savannah will be getting a boost on their paychecks after council voted to approve a 3% cost-of-living wage increase on Thursday. The vote, which amends the 2021 fiscal year budget, also made the increase retroactive to July 4.
The total financial impact on the increase is just over $3.5 million. The mayor and council members, who first began discussing a raise for employees during their July budget retreat, are not eligible for the increase.
"Every great house has to have a rock solid foundation and in the City of Savannah's house, our foundation is our employees, 2,500 strong,” said Alderman Nick Palumbo.
“They've worked alongside us to get through a very difficult 18 months, so it's an honor to bring this forward and recognize them.”
Mayor Van Johnson said council's recent vote to maintain the current millage rate helped the city to move forward with the cost-of-living increase.
"The council agreed to maintain the current millage rate that will give us the funds that we will need to be able to ensure we're able to give a cost-of-living increase that is deserved to our employees," Johnson said.
During the July budget retreat members of council discussed implementing a 2% or 2.5% increase and Alderwoman Alicia Blakely recommended that city staff explore the possibility of a 3% increase.
"I just want to say thank you to the council, to the staff. And I'm sure that our employees will appreciate this," Blakely said.
Katie Nussbaum is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Contact her at knussbaum@savannahnow.com. Twitter: KmartSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The more than 2,000 people employed by the City of Savannah will receive raises
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