QC committee discusses raises for chief deputies

Longevity pay also being considered

Members of the St. Francis County Quorum Court’s personnel committee met earlier this week to discuss pay for chief deputies at the courthouse.

The Times-Herald was not notified of the meeting that took place Tuesday afternoon, a violation of the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

According to SFC Judge Craig Jones, newly-elected SFC Assessor Ginadell Adams voiced concerns to committee members regarding pay differences in the amounts for chief deputies and regular office employees.

Adams explained that when she took office in January, she named Eula Moore as her chief deputy, with a starting pay of $13.61 per hour, giving Moore a raise of 32 cents per hour for her new role.

The chief deputy in each of the county’s six main offices is responsible for the operation of that office when the elected official is out.

Adams told justices employees should also be compensated for their years of service and loyalty to the county.

“There are several employees who would stay here if they were awarded for their years of service,” Adams told justices, according to minutes of the meeting provided to the TimesHerald. “I think years of service and loyalty should be compensated.”

Jones said he has been looking at dollar amounts regarding raising the pay for chief deputies, along with awarding employees raises based on their years of service.

Jones suggested step increases for employees, saying those who have been with the county five years should receive a 25-cent per hour raise, those with 10 years experience would get 50 cents per hour, and after 15 years they would get a 75-cent per hour raise. Employees with 20 years experience would receive a $1 raise, followed by a $1.25 an hour raise for 25 years and $1.50 for 30 years. Employees with 40 years of experience would receive an increase of $1.75 an hour.

The county is also currently paying workers an additional $2 per hour through premium pay funded by Covid-relief money. Justices originally agreed to pay the premium amount for only two years, with it scheduled to end this fall. Employees may only receive premium pay when they are at work, but not for time when they’re out of the office.

Jones said the raises for chief deputies in the assessor’s and collector’s office are reimbursed at the end of the year with the county’s final tax settlement, leaving the county paying only about 12 percent of those costs.

Justices agreed they believe chief deputies should be paid more than regular office workers due to the added responsibilities.

However, justices voiced some concerns regarding problems possibly developing where chief deputies could end up making more than elected officials.

The committee agreed to present a salary schedule for years of service to the full Court.

The Quorum Court is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, March 21.