Habersham County Commissioners spent several hours in a work session last week reviewing details for the proposed 2017 Fiscal Year Budget, and contemplated a pay raise for the County’s 240 full-time employees. Under consideration is a pay raise between 2.5% and 4%. County employees went a very long seven years without any pay increase, and received a 3.5% increase last July. The projected 2017 increase would cost between $231,000 and $369,000.
The Commissions also focused on the County’s health insurance, which is administered by MSI Benefit Group, of Kennesaw. Matt Birdwell, of MSI, gave an extensive overview of the county employee insurance coverage for FY 2017. Birdwell reported, “Habersham County employees have had two good years in a row with no large payouts for coverage, and that puts us in position to negotiate for a better policy.” Birdwell reminded Commissioners that several large payouts prior to 2014 were expensive for the County’s insurance coverage program.
The County Manager’s office reports that about 90% of the County’s full-time employees participate in the MSI insurance program. It is made available for single coverage (non-smoking) employees as part of their annual compensation package, but family coverage and smokers pay an added premium.
The Commissioners reviewed most line items in the 2017 requested budget, which totals about $18.5 million. Included in the review is close to half a million dollars for improvements at the Habersham County Airport. It was discussed that after changes were made in 2016, the airport is finally generating a profit, and that the improvements are badly needed.
The first public meeting to review the FY 2017 budget is planned for June 13, 2016, at 6 p.m. The public will be able to review the budget in local media the first week of June. The proposed millage rate for FY 2017, will be made available at that time.
