Crunching the Numbers

Fayette County Commissioners Court met for over two hours last Thursday, July 23. Most of that time was spent discussing the county budget for next year, especially employee raises. The Court grappled over whether to give County employees a three percent raise or a four percent raise. The County hasn’t yet received revenue projections from the Fayette County Tax Appraisal District. So they made no decision on the raises at last Thursday’s meeting.

However, several County leaders spoke about the need to offer competitive salaries.

Assistant EMS Director Gary Daniels told Commissioners that his department lost six personnel including a supervisor who resigned to join a newly-created emergency services district (ESD) in Bastrop County.

In an interview with the Record on Friday, Daniels said the Bastrop County ESD offers starting pay of more than $10,000 a year than what Fayette County pays.

“If we keep comparing ourselves to other counties, we’re always going to be chasing salary,” Daniels told the Court on Thursday. “But I think it’s important to consider providing other opportunities such as certification pay and things of that nature.”

Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff questioned why so many personnel would leave the EMS Department when the Court hasn’t yet made any decision on pay raises for next year.

“I think it’s easy on your way out to say, ‘I’m leaving because of the money,’” Berckenhoff said. “It’s just an easy way out.”

Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann said he would have a hard time replacing some of his employees if they decided to leave for higher pay.

“I have three guys who are mechanics and can fix almost anything we have,” Brossmann said. “They enjoy working here and want to stay here. But if they wanted to, as mechanics, they could be making $40 an hour easy. But they like what they do and we treat them right. That’s why I would like to give them as much as we can so we can keep those people happy. Once you lose them, they’re almost irreplaceable.”

Pct. 2 Commissioner Clint Sternadel said any amount of raise the County gives employees will probably not keep up with the increase in cost of living.

“Compared to last year, just the inflation rate, depending on which source you want, is probably in the six to eight percent range,” Sternadel said. “So no matter how much you give them, even if we go with four percent – the most expensive option – the reality is they’re still probably making less in buying power than they had last year.”

Plum resident William Bernsen addressed the Court concerning raises: “I’m sure there are a lot of underpaid people in the County,” he said. “But your pay increases come from taxpayers, and they’re suffering.”

In the end, Commissioners instructed the County Auditor to prepare cost estimates comparing a three percent raise to a four percent raise. Preliminary estimates indicate the three percent raise could cost the County an additional $930,000 over this year’s total payroll, which is about $11.4 million. Total expenses in this year’s county budget is a little over $36 million.