Employees’ pay raise up for debate in Warner Robins budget | Politics | Macon.com

WARNER ROBINS — A 3 percent pay raise for all city employees has raised questions among some council members, while others see it as a no-brainer.

“The question is: ‘Why wouldn’t you give it to them?’ ” said Mayor Chuck Shaheen, pointing to an easily balanced budget. “I never thought it’d be a political issue to award your employees with a pay scale increase.”

The proposed $600,000 item is likely to be a major part of the first public discussion of the fiscal 2014 budget Monday, as at least two council members say the pay bump might be best as a one-time bonus instead of a reoccurring cost.

“Once you give someone a raise, you have to plan to give that raise forever,” said Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins.

A required public hearing will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in City Hall for the nearly $35.6 million general fund budget. The draft includes no tax increase or utility hikes.

via Employees’ pay raise up for debate in Warner Robins budget | Politics | Macon.com.