Commissioners Give Several Raises to County Employees

October 3, 2019 - The Shelby County Commissioners gave raises to many county employees following an executive session during their meeting held October 2, 2019.

When the meeting returned from executive session, Commissioner Charles Barr stated the outside auditors usually give the county a positive audit and he said that is a reflection on the county judge, some on the commissioners, as well as the County Auditor, and Treasurer.

"But there's a lot of people downstairs and around that do a lot of work and I think it has a lot to do with them as well," said Barr.

A motion then carried to give an across the board raise of 50 cents an hour to clerical staff, which came to 31 people. It was specified the funds for that raise would come out of contingency.

Another motion then carried by the commissioners to approve a $1 raise on top of the 50 cent raise for deputy county clerk, deputy district clerk and deputy tax assessor collector, to be made available to the department whether the department uses it or not.   

Barr stated he and Commissioner Jimmy Lout have part-time employees, Lout with some that have been on for six years and Barr with some who have been on for two years.

A motion carried to raise those commissioner part-time employees to the regular pay scale at part-time.

A raise was then also given to new employees hired for clerical work.

A motion carried to raise the starting pay to $10.75 an hour.

Earlier in the meeting there was discussion of the City of Joaquin paying Newton Johnson, Jr. $1,000 a month, as they recently approved that expenditure. There was discussion over the possibility of the city giving the money to the county and then the county handling disbursement, since Johnson is a reserve deputy constable; however, Constable Roy Cheatwood stated he had spoken to Mayor Bill Baker.

"As far as their agreement was to just go ahead and pay Mr. Newton through their deal," said Cheatwood. "I'm not an attorney or nothin', but I researched and actually you know, Newton's a reserve deputy he's not a county employee."

Cheatwood offered to take a letter to the city of Joaquin on behalf of the commissioners' court letting them know to move forward with their plans involving Johnson and not include the county in them.

"The city is actually wanting to try to start a municipal court. I think the mayor in about three months is going to go to school where he could actually be the judge," said Cheatwood.

Cheatwood stated Joaquin is a lawless city as the ordinances and laws of the city can't be enforced due to their not being a municipal court. 

No action was taken.

The meeting was adjourned.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Current payroll
3. Retain the law firm of Allison, Bass & Magee, L.L.P. for 2020 Redistricting Services, sign agreement, and authorize the first payment of $5,000 for the Initial Assessment fee.
4. Give an across the board raise of 50 cents an hour to clerical staff, which came to 31 people. It was specified the funds for that raise would come out of contingency.
5. $1 raise on top of the 50 cent raise for deputy county clerk, deputy district clerk and deputy tax assessor collector, to be made available to the department whether the department uses it or not. 
6. Raise Precinct 2 and 3 commissioner part-time employees to the regular pay scale at part-time.
7. Raise the starting pay for clerical employees to $10.75 an hour.
8. Adjourn.