DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — A new county employee pay plan could get an up or down vote when the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meets Thursday at 6 p.m.

A recent study by the Archer Company found that more than 400 employees have left the county for greener pastures in the last six years, costing taxpayers $1.5 million to hire and train their replacements.

The study compared Dawson County’s pay scale to Forsyth, Hall, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Pickens counties and the cities of Gainesville, Canton and Cumming.

Commissioners are considering several options, including a 2 percent, across-the-board pay raise for all employees, bringing everyone up to the average minimum, bringing everyone up to time in service and class or all of those.

Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond has said, “The plan would bring stability to the workforce, increase productivity and be more cost-efficient for taxpayers.”

The Board tabled the issue two weeks ago but are expected to vote on the issue Thursday.

The station operates six days a week from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.The current fee schedule has been in place since 2013 and is between $5 and $22 lower than surrounding transfer stations and landfills for bulk garbage and .50 to $1 lower on bagged garbage. Staff has proposed the bulk garbage rate be increased to $44 per ton and a minimum fee of $5 per load weighed. Bagged garbage rates would remain the same.

Other issues to be considered include:

• Renewal of the contract with Northeast Georgia Probation Services, Inc;
• A request to place Little Lending Libraries on County Government Property;
• A request for a budget increase for the Legacy Link Local Match;
• Board of Commissioners Expenses and
• Training funds for new members of the Development Authority.