Budget Committee to meet Thursday to review pay raise plan

Published 2:29 pm Monday, November 7, 2022

By Danielle Morin

Elizabethton Star

The Budget Committee will reconvene on Thursday after entering into recess at the end of the previous assembly on Oct. 25.

Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley, Mayor Patty Woodby, and Carter County commissioners discussed the proposed $5 an hour increase for Carter County Sheriff’s Office employees and brainstormed ways to make funding for the increase possible. Fraley said the increased wages are crucial for the jail, which had recently lost its Federal Inmate Contract that provides funding for building costs. Without the contract, Carter County is responsible for covering the nearly $167,000 monthly expense. Fraley explained in order to get their contract back, the jail must increase its staffing numbers — a feat he does not see possible without a more sustainable wage that can compete with surrounding counties.

After hours of deliberations, a unanimous vote to rescind the $5 increase was approved. A new figure was not put into motion in its place; however, the group did provide a directive of $3 to $3.50. Carter County Finance Director Carolyn Watson was tasked with using the directive to formulate exact figures that they could present in hopes of getting the proposal passed.

Members will be meeting again on Thursday to review the new figures and continue discussing ways to provide funding for the proposal. Some ideas were offered at the October meeting, including the addition of a wheel tax for Carter County residents, but an official decision was not rendered. Members are hoping to come to a final agreement on the matter that has been a continued concern and topic of interest since before Fraley took over as Carter County Sheriff in September.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meeting which will take place at the Carter County Courthouse at 6 p.m.