Dougherty County Commission approves employee raises

ALBANY — The list of agenda items approved by the Dougherty County Commission on Monday included a long-awaited raise for the county’s employees.

The unanimous vote approved a 2.86 percent merit validation that will be implemented immediately and be effective at the beginning of the pay period on Feb. 4 for classified employees whose annual performance appraisal indicates they have performed at a level that has “met expectations” since July 1.

“I am very excited to make this recommendation,” County Administrator Michael McCoy said prior to the vote. “The staff is looking forward to it.”

McCoy said the raises come after increased tax collections resulted in revenues outpacing expenses by about $7.5 million, and after approval of the budget in June and a period of county officials making sure they were in a strong financial position to fund the bump.

It is the first raise for Dougherty County’s employees in seven years.

“It is a step in the right direction,” Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas said. “You have to do the best you can to acknowledge the value, and for a while we have been unable to do that.”

Officials said all other classified employees will receive the merit increase upon successful completion of their annual performance appraisal. The increase excludes department managers under the direct supervision of McCoy.

“I am sure morale will be positively affected,” McCoy said. “It is very gratifying from an administrative standpoint.”

The board also approved unanimously:

— Acceptance of the change order to implement Phase II of the Radium Springs subdivision road improvements plan from Oxford Construction in the amount of $425,469.15. Funding is available in SPLOST V. The commission approved the reallocation of funding for the redevelopment of Camella Drive, Dogwood Drive, Rosewood Drive, Ivey Drive and Oleander Drive in October;

— The purchase of one 2019 Ford Explorer for Dougherty EMS from Wade Ford in Smyrna in the amount of $31,262 to replace a vehicle with a blown out motor;

— A resolution accepting a right-of-way deed and easements from Wingate Land and Development LLC;

— A resolution providing for the execution of two easement agreements from Dougherty County to the city of Albany for the purpose of providing easements to the city along North Monroe Street through county-owned property known as Satterfield Park and the former Georgia Army National Guard armory site. The purpose is to allow construction of the Downtown Connected Trail System;

— Transfer of $308,397.37 from the fund balance of the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund to the Special Services District Fund for the purpose of paying invoices from Tetra Tech. At the same time, the commission approved a payment of an invoice from Tetra Tech in that amount for emergency debris services offered immediately following Hurricane Michael;

— A resolution declaring a list of vehicles and equipment as surplus and authorizing the sale of the same on www.govdeals.com or disposal by appropriate means.

Jennifer Parks