DeKalb CEO proposes three-percent raise, higher minimum wage

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has proposed a three-percent pay raise and a $15-per-hour minimum wage to help retain and attract talented employees who are motivated to provide quality customer service to residents and businesses of DeKalb.

The compensation enhancements are part of CEO Thurmond’s goal of maintaining a well-compensated, highly-trained workforce dedicated to putting customers first.

On Dec. 11, Thurmond delivered to the Board of Commissioners highlights of his proposed FY2019 budget which includes a 3-percent raise for all county employees who did not receive a raise in October 2018.

Additionally, the proposed budget increases the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all full-time and regular part-time employees and includes an insurance holiday.

These proposals continue the progress started in the FY2018 budget to create a more competitive salary structure for all DeKalb County employees. In 2018, county employees whose salaries had not been adjusted since 2016 received a 3-percent raise, and a $14 per hour minimum wage was established for all full-time and regular part-time employees.

And in October, a 4-percent salary increase went into effect which applied to approximately 2,100 public safety employees.

The Board of Commissioners will vote on the 2019 county budget by Feb. 28, 2019.