Fiscal Court Votes For County Employees, Magistrates, Some Offices To Receive Raises

Darren Doyle, story:
County employees, magistrates, and some elected officials will be getting raises, some beginning in June of this year and others in January of 2023 after the Edmonson County Fiscal Court voted to approve the pay increases at Monday's meeting.

Magistrates voted to allow a 5% increase to all county employees, effective June 26, 2022. They also approved a 7% increase in salary for themselves, which will be $8,025/yr, and a 7% increase for the Coroner, which will be $14,215/yr.

Magistrates also set pay rates for the deputy coroner ($6,300/yr), the finance officer ($14.44/hr), and the jailer's position ($30,000/yr).

The court also made a motion to increase the County Attorney's salary from $22,554 to $25,000 per year; however, County Attorney Greg Vincent spoke against the motion.

Vincent said that while it's completely possible he might not see the pay increase if he's not reelected, he didn't feel like the pay increase was fair in comparison with other county offices, whether it would be himself or his political opponent in office come January. Vincent said his office brought more revenue into the county than the county pays to run the office and said he generally brings in $100K/yr in delinquent tax revenue alone. He also added that the county pays less than half of the standard county attorney salary recommended by the state.

"I've done your work, and I've always gotten it to you on time or earlier than the deadline you've asked for, and I've never refused a call," he said. "And even if it's not me, I assume Mr. Turner will be the same way." He continued. "I don't want this to sound like I'm being ungrateful," he said. "I appreciate the thought of bringing this up, but I just don't understand the number, I don't understand the thinking of why you would treat one office so different from the others."

In addition to the salary, the county also pays $750/mo for rent for the county attorney, but Vincent said they do not pay for any supplies, utilities, or additional labor, (secretaries, assistants, etc.) as it does for other county offices.

Judge Cannon said he agreed that the proposed raise was not fair in comparison with the other offices and asked for another motion for a higher amount. District 3 Magistrate Charlie Tarter made a motion to table the discussion for the next meeting, which was seconded by District 1 Magistrate Mark Meeks.

The fiscal court also voted to:

• Approve to hire Aubrey Wilson, full-time Road Department employee at $15.00 per hour, date of hire 4/11/2022.
• Approve to hire Jimmy Cook, full-time Road Department employee at $15.00 per hour, date of hire 4/11/2022.
• Approve to appoint Marty Cassady to Regional Jail Board for a 4 year term, effective 4/25/2022 and ending 4/24/2026.
• Approve to appoint Kish Browning to Regional Jail Board for a 2 year term, effective 4/25/2022 and ending 4/24/2024.
• Adopt a 25MPH Speed limit for Mallory Lane and Miranda Drive.
• Approve to advertise Road Material Bids.
• Approve to Schedule Finance Committee meeting for Budget FY23 on 5/6/2022 at 8:30 am.