Committee Approves Salary Increase; Property Donation

david@dresdenenterprise.com

DRESDEN (November 9) — The Weakley County Financial Management Committee approved targeted salary adjustments for two entry-level county employees who have an increased workload.

The Weakley County Financial Management Committee approved a pay raise requested by County Clerk Kim Hughey. She said, “I had an employee that left for employment elsewhere and hired a new employee. The new employee’s beginning salary amounts to $23,500, which is $2,453 less than that of the previous employee.

Hughey stated, since the new employee started at a lower salary, she would like to take the difference in pay to add $1,200 to the salary of Paige Davis and $1,200 for Christina Oliver.”

Hughey explained the raises are warranted, because she is requiring them to assume additional duties.

She noted there is more than enough money in her budget to cover the raises.

Another topic of discussion concerned a small parcel of land Weakley County purchased back from a delinquent tax sale for $1,600. Mayor Jake Bynum stated Gleason is requesting Weakley County Government donate the land to the City of Gleason, since it is adjacent to city-owned property. Bynum commented the Weakley County Commission has the authority to donate property it owns to a municipality for the public good.

The Financial Management Committee agreed to recommend the parcel of land be donated to the City of Gleason when the full body of the Weakley County Commission meets at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, November 16.

There was an extensive discussion regarding retiree medical coverage. One scenario discussed involved whether or not the spouse of a county employee that wishes to remain on the county’s health insurance plan after her husband retires should be allowed to do so. However, it was noted this option only applies to teachers who are considered employees of the State of Tennessee and have access to the state health insurance plan.

A motion to pursue health care coverage for county employees not currently covered under the county’s plan failed for lack of a second.