By Ray King
Jefferson County employees who have not seen a pay increase in a number of years are in line for their second raise this year, according to County Judge Gerald Robinson.
At a meeting of Quorum Court committees Tuesday night, Robinson said he will propose a 6-percent increase in September, and after the meeting, talked to Deltaplex News about the action.
The subject came up during a discussion of a proposed ordinance which would allow County Assessor Yvonne Humphrey to eliminate one of the slots in her office which was formerly filled by an employee who did not return from medical leave.
Because of the county hiring freeze, Humphrey is not able to fill the slot and wants to take the money allocated for that slot and give it to other employees who have had to assume additional duties.
Asked by Justice of the Peace Dr. Conley Byrd if the money would be distributed equally, Humphrey said no. She said some employees came in early and worked late and worked weekends while others didn’t, and the money will reward those who did the extra work.
That ordinance was referred to the full court with a do-pass recommendation as was a proposed ordinance raising the salary of the Administrative Assistant in the Office of Emergency Management.
Also recommended for approval was a proposed ordinance which authorizes direct payments to widows and widowers who lost spouses and children who have lost parents as a result of COVID-19.
The ordinance says Jefferson County had the first recorded case of COVID-19 and the death toll from COVID-19 is among the highest in the state. Money for the payments will come from the American Rescue Plan and the County Judge is authorized to determine eligible survivors and disburse the payments.
