DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Commissioners decided they need more time to study the classification and compensation plan proposed by the Archer Company. The issue was tabled until the next regular meeting on March 2.
More than 400 county employees have left for greener pastures in the last six years, costing taxpayers nearly $1.5 million to hire and train their replacements. The study compared Dawson County pay scale to Forsyth, Hall, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Pickens counties and the cities of Gainesville, Canton and Cumming. King said the county’s 100 percent turnover rate is “unheard of.”
The board must still consider several options, including a 2 percent, across-the-board pay raise to all employees, bringing everyone up to the average minimum, bringing everyone up to time in service and class or adopt all or any part of the plan.
Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond said on Monday, “The plan would bring stability to the workforce, increase productivity and be more cost-efficient for taxpayers. He also said he understood the reason the issue was tabled. “Commissioners decided they needed more time to study it and I can understand that.”
The Board also tabled a proposal by Paladin Company. The Royston-based company had proposed paying the county $100 per month to place two antennas atop the Courthouse Building to enable it to provide wireless internet to approximately 400 homes in the county.
Commissioners voted 3-0 with Commissioner Julie Nix abstaining to deny a rezoning request to allow a package store to be built at Harmony Church Road.
Everything else on the agenda was approved unanimously.