Santa Rosa County employees to receive pay-raise

Santa Rosa County employees will receive a 3-percent cost of living pay increase this year, but the board of commissioners can’t promise the county can give the same next year.

Commissioners discussed pay raises July 26 during a budget workshop. Commission Chairman Lane Lynchard said the county could either give merit or cost of living increases for employees. He said an across the board 3-percent increase would change the pay scale, and new hires would start out at more money.

County Administrator Hunter Walker said either choice would cost the county about $1 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The county has 847 employees.

Commissioner Don Salter said giving merit raises would exclude about 40 employees who had reached the final step in the pay scale system.

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