Despite initial opposition from Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll, an ordinance authorizing the hiring of four additional people for the Jefferson County Road Department was recommended for approval Wednesday night.
According to a letter to County Judge Gerald Robinson and members of the county’s legislative body, adding the four slots will enable the road department to increase its workload on a daily basis.
Road Department Director Rickey Bullard said two of the four new hires will be using a new piece of equipment that the county recently received.
Justice of the Peace Ted Harden spoke about the request after the meeting.
Carroll made a motion to deny the request, complaining that even though the road department has received more than $1 million in funding, he was not satisfied with the condition of the county’s roads.
He cast the only no vote on the ordinance.
If approved by the full quorum court when it meets next Tuesday, the four employees will be paid a total of almost $252,000, including benefits.
The Road Department was not the only county department whose request o add employees was recommended for approval.
County Assessor Gloria Tillman wants to add one person to the office’s Personal Property Department at a salary, including benefits, of $31,934.20. That position was previously eliminated by the county.
In a letter to Robinson, Tillman said if the position is not readded, it will have a significant impact on the county’s revenues.
