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Board Asks County Employees To Consider Pay Freeze
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Zach Anderson - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Wednesday, 19 August 2009 06:29


On Friday, union business agents and staff reportedly met.

According to a letter from Pope County's labor counsel Justin Anderson sent to union leaders, "Pope County's goal is to freeze its 2009 labor costs, which could result in a savings of $261,000. This coupled with reductions in overtime and travel and meal expenses, a marginal increase in the levy, and the use of some reserves will help in getting through these dire financial straights."

The letter to employees from commissioners ends by stating: "We want to solve the budget issues by having a united workforce agreeing to hold down expenses and thereby enabling the commissioners to hold any tax increase to a minimum if at all. The taxpayer is the one who we are working for and who pays our wages. They are watching closely."

The letters did not include specifics about pay freezes or reduced hours.

The Pope County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 9 a.m. in the courthouse boardroom.