County Employees Get Pay Increases

Posted on: Jan 28th, 2015 | Announcements

The Mobile County Commission this week advanced the timeline for the second of two, 2.5 percent employee raises in this fiscal year and added a $500 merit bonus. Commissioners sought the change after the close-out of the 2014 fiscal year budget revealed a surplus, or carryover, of funds. It takes about three months to close out a fiscal year budget, a process that compares sets of records to assure that final numbers are accurate. The budget closed with a positive balance due primarily to an increase in sales tax revenues, a decrease in personnel costs and the sale of assets. The raises and bonuses will require approval of the Mobile County Personnel Board. Assuming that it will be approved, the Mobile County Commission will follow up with a budget amendment to the 2014-2015 budget to transfer part of last year?s surplus to fund the employee pay increases. Commissioners had budgeted the two raises, in the current 2014-2015 budget, for October and April. The new proposal pushes up the second raise to the first pay period in February. The bonuses are scheduled to be paid February 27. The commissioners voiced optimism about the future and hope that savings and revenue increases would be realized in the current budget as well.