Chatham County's new budget doesn't raise taxes or give employees raises. | Stock photo
Chatham County's new budget doesn't raise taxes or give employees raises. | Stock photo
Chatham County commissioners approved a $132.3 million budget for the fiscal year 2020-21 that doesn’t raise taxes or give raises to employees but does provide more vacation.
“The county’s budget team was faced with a challenge unlike any other to completely reevaluate the budget in a short time frame with uncertain guidance on revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” County Chairwoman Karen Howard said in a statement about the spending plan in mid-June.
The spending plan keeps the tax rate at 67 cents per $100 of property value.
Instead of raises, the commission gave employees more vacation in a show of appreciation. County officials said that employees will receive 16 vocational hours as of July 1, 2020.
"We understand that this does not take the place of a pay increase, but the Board wanted to make this gesture in appreciation for the excellent work each of our dedicated staff does for the residents of Chatham County," Howard said in the statement.
The budget includes funding for six new positions, including two detention officers, three social workers and one licensed substance abuse counselor.
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