CITY OF THOMASTON PAY RAISES 3% FOR ALL ?

AT A 2020 BUDGET WORKSHOP LAST FRIDAY—THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL TENATIVELY AGREED TO A PAY INCREASE OF 3% ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES.

STAFF HAD RECOMMENDED A 5% PAY HIKE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT LINEMAN BECAUSE OF RETENTION ISSUES AND 1.75% FOR ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES—BUT THERE HAD BEEN COUNCIL OBJECTIONS.

COUNCILMAN JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS SAID GIVING MORE TO SOME CAUSES MORALE PROBLEMS IN THE RANKS AND COUNCIL MEMBER LAKEYTHA REEVES SAID IF EMPLOYEES SUCH AS POLICE AND LINEMAN WANT HIGHER PAY THEY ARE FREE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON HAD TOLD COUNCIL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GIVING UPSON DEPUTIES A 5% PAY RAISE AND DEPUTIES ALREADY GET HIGHER ENTRY LEVEL PAY THAN POLICE.

COUNCIL WILL HOLD THE FINAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING NEXT TUESDAY AT 6PM AND THE FINAL BUDGET VOTE AT 7PM.