BOC slashes county pay
In a split vote decided by its chairman, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners put a sharp ax to the county’s projected $2.5 million budget deficit Tuesday night by slashing pay and other expenses.
Commissioner Steve Worley proposed the cost-cutting plan at Tuesday’s called BOC meeting. Supporting Worley’s plan were commissioners Larry Joe Wilburn and Eva Elder. Voting against it were commissioners Isaiah Berry, Billy Parks and Ben Hendrix. BOC Chairman Danny Yearwood broke the 3-3 tie by voting in favor of the proposal.
The plan approved by the BOC will:
•cut county workers’ pay by 3-10 percent depending on pay level.
•reduce all departments’ operating budgets by 10 percent.
•eliminate pay for the four county holidays between now and Sept. 30.
•stop all overtime and on-call pay.
•eliminate a total of four part-time positions, including two in Leisure Services and two in the Board of Elections and Registration Office.
•pave the way for future layoffs by directing the chairman to meet with department heads to begin determining which positions could be cut if needed.
The plan also calls for a new salary and efficiency study possibly before the start of fiscal year 2010 which begins on Oct. 1, 2009.
The plan approved by the BOC will:
•cut county workers’ pay by 3-10 percent depending on pay level.
•reduce all departments’ operating budgets by 10 percent.
•eliminate pay for the four county holidays between now and Sept. 30.
•stop all overtime and on-call pay.
•eliminate a total of four part-time positions, including two in Leisure Services and two in the Board of Elections and Registration Office.
•pave the way for future layoffs by directing the chairman to meet with department heads to begin determining which positions could be cut if needed.
The plan also calls for a new salary and efficiency study possibly before the start of fiscal year 2010 which begins on Oct. 1, 2009.
You have made a good start, and I trust you will continue.
Removal of the unqualified and/or overpaid Directors, along with their many family and friends would be a large savings for the county.
Keep Up The Good Work
This is the first of many steps that will be taken that shows how the new chairman and commissioners operate. You may not be upset now, but you will be!
Operating with an iron fist will cost you votes!
I would like to let our county tax payers in on a few secrets.
We have many jobs that should never have been created for friends and family.
(1) Why do we have a county manager that does the same job as the Chairman...
$130,00 salary w/ $170,000 salary & benefits;
(2) Why does fleet need a secretary when the director does nothing.
$60,000 salary w/ $90,000 salary & benefits;
(3) Why do we have a director of Clean and Beautiful who does nothing but call and have other people do her job.
$60,000 salary w/ $90,000 salary & benefits;
(4) Why do we have a full time person who is responsible for accident reveiw who does nothing but to try and hang employees;
$60,000 salary w/ $90,000 salary & benefits;
(5) Financial Director who is overpaid and under quailified;
$80,000 salary w/ $110,000 salary and benefits;
Just a few examples:
That's approximately $350,000 a year and that's only off the top of my head.
You want to fix this county, get out of the Good ole boy days and move forward.
What are the Commisioners going to do when we loose 10 fireman, 20 deputies and many others.
What if these politians need public safety, God forbid.
Also, ther was a Winder PO see Yearwood and Whorley leave the community center after drinking alot and driving.
What's wrong with that, they run this county!
Let's see, where to begin:
1.) County Manager? Isn't his job to be the adminsitrative head? The Chairman isn't elected to run the day-to-day business of the County. We elected him to view the big picture. Not the details.
2-5.) Everybody "does nothing". Excellent description there. Nothing. You must not do much, if you have time to observe all these folks "doing nothing".
Get legitimate reasons, not just "do nothing" baloney, and maybe they'll be taken seriously. Otherwise, it sounds childish.
If the "do nothing, unexperienced, unqualified" employees are not removed from the payroll, then why did we elect new commissioners?
They need to get rid of the above employees, which are some of the highest salaries, and then start working on the money.
Why should taxpayers be expected to give more, when management is getting rich and doing nothing?
How do you say they are operating with an iron fist, when the economy is hurting EVERYONE?
There are several that have made their fortunate, in a very short time. What did the taxpayers benefit from them?
How upset do you think taxpayers have been for several years, seeing their tax dollars "blown in the wind" with no benefits???
One thing is certain. The split vote by the BOC shows that not everyone was convinced that Worley's plan is the best plan. If they did, then Yearwood would not have been required to break the tie.
It would be interesting to listen to the reasons why Berry,Parks,and Hendricks did not vote in favor of the decision.
I suspect that we have now seen how the political battle lines will be drawn as the BOC considers future actions on the budget.
It is my sincere hope that Yearwood and the BOC will ensure that they keep in mind the impact of cutting any jobs on the families of those individuals who are unfortunate enough to be selected.
As I have indicated in my blogs, it is a mistake to cut any jobs before ALL other payroll reducing options are exhausted. Mr. Yearwood's original plan made sense, and was a great starting point to address the budget issues. What caused him to veer from that plan and side with Worley, will be a topic of considerable interest and speculation in the coming days and weeks by the citizens of this county, especially those county employees who may be targeted for extinction to bring the budget in line.
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA
Instead of cutting law enforcement pay why not charge those that waste their time? ie. Fine people for a false 911 call or hang up. If someone wants to make a report on something non life threating have them come in to do it. Dont send our guys out to them and wate their time.
With the economy like it is the crime rate will only rise and what do we do? Cut law enforcement pay. That does not make sence to me!
Appreciation does not pay the bills!
The original plan called for a cut in hours which allowed county employees time off when they were not paid to work. The new deal calls for employees to work the same hours with less pay. If you appreciated the employees, you would give them fair pay for their work, not less pay for the same work. It was supposed to be a cost cutting measure, not a way to get more for less.
How about answering why the county would spend HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars on a firetruck that cannot be used. What about the money the county spent on a study to tell them what they should pay their employees, I believe it was in the thousands of dollars. Let's talk about department heads who are just "figures", but really aren't capable of doing anything except reporting. If you can't do the work because you don't have the skills what qualifies you to direct your workers? These are questions that need to be answered! Also, are the elected officials going to voluntarily take a pay-cut? That needs to be published so we know that those who are elected are willing to sacrafice.
You don't cut public safety, you just don't do it, it is moronic even at the thought. Look at Dekalb and Gwinnett, no cuts to public safety. They are adding people, Gwinnett is even adding more people to public safety as they cut or limit other positions within the county. You can forecast for busier times in an office, please let us know where the next fire, robbery, wreck, domestic dispute, or heart attack will be. Putting lives in jeopardy (citizens or employees) does not make sense other than the chairman and commissioners DON'T want to upset others more than they already have nor do they have what it takes to make those decisions. I am glad they find tags, human resources, and permits equally important to human life. I am glad they are making decisions to better the situation but cutting the services that protect the taxpayers and their families is the wrong move, it is wreckless, and it is irresponsible! Good luck and best wishes to all, stay safe!
Don't get me wrong I empathize with the situation --I took a pay cut also at my non-government job and easily rationalized it was not a bad deal considering the options of finding a new job in this economy.
I do not believe that you the public is fully aware of what is really going on...That is why I have and will continue to be against ANY cut of public safety...lives are more important than a car tag or a property deed.
It is obvious they are not in it for the money because they are not paid enough as it is. They do it because they want to help, they want to make a difference and they want to better the community and now your going to take money away.
I know somewhere you can start with they pay cuts, how about HR. More specifically Norma Jean Brown.
So, I hear resignations have started. Well, let's see them go. The top dogs can't take the "heat" when the truth comes out.
All department heads should be put to the "test". If they worked their way up to the position that's fine. If they didn't, do the work of the employees under you and prove that you are just as capable. How many can do that??
Yes, Directors cannot manage a department, when they are unqualified, unexperienced, and have on idea what is going on. Most of them don't care, as long as it doesn't effect their pay.
It is time to hold people accountable for their jobs and get rid of the "free loading employees".
As for why Berry, Parks and Hendrix voted against the proposal, is clear. They are supporters to the Department Heads who are unqualified, unexperienced and have burdend the county with their family and friends.
*You scratch my back and I will scratch Yours* needs to be eliminated from the county......
Like the saying goes:
*If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always had* NO IMPROVEMENT
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA
There is no easy way to reduce a county budget deficit. Pay reductions and or job cuts will happen, no matter how unpleasant that prospect may be. However, high paid county managers compensation pkgs. have to also be on the chopping block when reducing costs. No one wants to lose money. All county managers should volunteer to take a pay cut as Mr. Yearwood has done. Leading by example will prove to the citizens of this county that their concern for the overall financial health of the county, and all of it's employee's is a genuine priority. Last but not least, Emergency Services, Law enforcement, and EMT's should be the VERY LAST pay cut or JOB CUT considered. There is no comparison between saving lives, and pushing paper. While operations certainly has it's place, saving lives and property, and defending the public against crime, should be the #1 priority in Barrow County. If it isn't, then I suspect this Commission Chair, and newly elected Commissioners, will be replaced in the next election. As always, I welcome opposing viewpoints. Further information on this topic can be viewed on my blog at barrowcountynews.com
Respectfully submitted,
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA
You give the previous administration a lot of credit when you say they control all the workings of world and national financial markets as well as the world oil cartels. The blame belongs squarely on the shouders of almighty human GREED. Not local county governments.
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA
I am sure you and the pro Yearwood gang will find a way to discount these jobs as low paying non-important positions. I doubt those who now have jobs would agree with your position.
DuWayne R. Anderson
WInder, GA
In fact, in most cases, those employees make more plus they could be looking at retirement, so they go first.
If he doesn't get rid of "some Directors" the county will never succeed.
He has to get the corruption out, if he plans to be serve Barrow County, rather than waste taxpayers dollars on "users".
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA