Beaufort Co. has an extra $9M. It’s being used for pay raises, ambulances, construction
Almost 1,500 Beaufort County employees will receive a 5% cost-of-living pay increase including staff with Emergency Management Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Detention Center.
Beaufort County Council approved the raises when it voted to amend the 2021-22 fiscal year county budget at its Monday meeting. The decision was prompted after an approximately $9 million surplus was found in the budget, a county news release said, saying the additional money was “identified after a larger than expected population growth” led to more property and personal taxes being collected.
Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner applauded the County Council for approving the cost-of-living increase.
“This and future pay adjustments will help retain and recruit Sheriff’s Office personnel and other county employees,” Tanner said in the release. “With increasing prices associated with purchasing or renting real estate, these types of adjustments will also make it more affordable for our employees to reside in Beaufort County.”
The county also has a $68 million reserve to handle natural disasters, according to Dale Butts, assistant county administrator for finance.
In addition to the pay raises and a one-time COVID-19 bonus pay for county staff, money was allocated toward buying new ambulances, construction projects, and purchasing properties from the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
How the money will be spent:
▪ $895,000 to provide a 5% pay increase to employees within EMS, the sheriff’s office, detention center, and county staff. The raise is intended to “offset the increase in the cost of living.” Firefighters will also be included if adopted by the various fire districts. Elected officials, including current county council members, will not receive the raise until after the next election cycle.
▪ $1.75 million added to already budgeted federal funding to give a one-time COVID premium pay to nearly 1,500 employees. The employees will be awarded $150 per month worked between April 2020 and January 2022, not exceeding $3,000.
▪ $1.75 million for ambulances, quick response vehicles, and other equipment needed by EMS.
▪ $1 million for maintenance projects at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
▪ $1 million for emergency repairs, including replacing the roof, at the Bluffton’s indoor pool.
▪ $900,000 toward construction at the Arthur Horne Building.
▪ $1.215 million for the acquisition of properties from the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
This story was originally published April 22, 2022 at 10:50 AM.
