Putnam Commissioners Include Wage Study In Newest Budget

Putnam County will conduct a comprehensive wage study this fiscal year after a last minute amendment to its budget made Monday night.

A one-time up to $50,000 allotment was approved by the county commission. Commissioner Jonathan Williams proposed the amendment saying the county needs to stay ahead.

“I think it would be wise for this body to spend the money once every four years to collect broad yet detailed data to see where we stack up not only with other cities or counties, but how we stack up with the private sector,” Williams said.

Williams said the goal is to remain competitive and avoid large raises to catch up in future budgets. The county’s newest budget included a $5,000 raise for emergency workers and $3,000 for the others.

“The school board might want to piggy back on this. That would be a school board decision, especially as it comes to their support staff,” Williams said. “There may be some cost sharing involved.”

Williams said the county conducted a public sector wage study in 2020. Williams said inflation and increasing wages has made that study out of date.

Mayor Randy Porter said including the private sector this time around would be a benefit for the county. The cost would come out of the county’s general fund.