Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

The Middlesboro City Council finance subcommittee met on Tuesday to discuss raises for the city employees. The meeting was held to discuss different possibilities for employee raises.

According to Middlesboro Police Chief Jeff Sharpe, it has been four budget years since the council gave an across the board cost of living raise. Each year, all employees do receive a 1 percent longevity raise, which was put into place many years ago.

Middlesboro Mayor Bill Kelley stated he feels good about the chances of placing a raise in the budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1. Kelley also stated the council needs to make sure the city will receive the peak of funding placed in this year’s budget, before committing to specific number for the raise.

The city receives a big percent of its funding during January and February of each year. According to Kelley, if the city stays on its current pace then they should be able to give a raise.

Kelley said he wants to be able to give the city employees a raise and keep the services at the level they are currently at.

When it comes to the type of raise that may be possible, Sharpe was in favor of giving a percentage raise based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A raise based on the CPI would be a cost of living raise.

Sharpe stated in most recent years, the raise has been based on the CPI. A concern from some members of the council was the amount of money different individuals would get if a percentage raise was done.

Councilman Gary Mills stated a person making $20 an hour would receive a bigger raise than someone making $10 an hour if a percentage raise was done.

Kelley said he would be looking toward a percentage raise with a base amount an employee must receive for the raise. Kelley said doing the raise this way would ensure everyone receives a decent raise.

The council stated they do plan on having more meetings to discuss the issue at a later date.

Anthony Cloud can be contacted via email at acloud@civitasmedia.com or by phone at 606-248-1010, ext. 208.