Again, who is getting these high percentages? I've spoke with some employees of the county and they got about 2.5%-3.5% in 2008 & no COLA. Many didn't receive a merit raise in 2007 because of the "great pay study". These same employees was told that July 2009 they would get another approx. 2.5%-3.5%. To break it down so Peter, Dunn etc. can understand: 2007 = no merit raise, only COLA. 2008 = about 3%, no COLA & 2009 = about 3%, unknown about COLA. That is 6% raise for a peroid of three (3) years; which is 2% per year plus COLA in 2007. Prior to this "great pay study" employees regulary received from 2.5% - 5% merit raises in addition to COLA. If anything this new commission has saved money in raises when compared to the Dunn, Peter, Wells years. That is why employees with little time with Fayette Co. seek other jobs in the private sector or other city, county governments. Maybe those high numbers quoted by Peter, Dunn etc. were given to the department heads, or those serving in the positions of bosses.
Dunn is so set against a defined benefit, but he receives one from the Military. Maybe he should give up his retirement to make a stronger case for his opinion.

It wouldn't surprise me if some of the bloggers who are critical of Pfeifer were current commissioners or people put up to it by them.

Some of the commissioners would love nothing more than to get rid of Peter Pfeifer - then they could continue to blindside the citizens without anyone to object or inform us. Sure, vote for Hearn or Kourajian - then we'd have one more to go along, get along. Kourajian was ineffective as a councilman, and I'm sure wouldn't do any better on the commission.

I know Peter Pfeifer. He is proud of Fayette County and it's employees - he would give them the moon if he could. Has anyone noticed the state of the economy these days? Has anyone seen what is going on with the staff in East Point? Maybe the raises could have been given in increments rather than all at one time.

I'm voting for Peter Pfeifer. I like knowing there is someone in our local government who is looking out for our best interest.

Sshh - don't tell anyone!

I don't know who supposedly got the 7.5 or higher pay increase. I do know most employees I have talked to would have done better with the COLA 2.3 pay increase instead of the joke they called the pay study. There have been several county employees who have left Fayette County for Henry County. Why, simple higher pay along with better benefits. Due to this supposedly great pay increase, that is a joke, and budget issues there will be no COLA or merit raises for any county employees in the 09 budget. We will have to wait and see what happens in the 10 budget.

The job study or pay study that was done gave figures to bring the county employees salaries to a competitive level. Problem with that is the study’s figures were from last summer before the huge cost of living increase. By using out dated numbers the salary figures are already behind. Add the fact no COLA for at least 2 years puts it even farther behind. Now instead of being competitive once again county employees lag behind in benefits and salaries.

As for the new benefits package, I am not so sure that is best for county employees or the county citizens. Time will tell…

The average is 9.5 percent.

Here's the thing: There are some departments that have a higher rate of turnover than other departments, just by the nature of the job, or whatever the reason. There is at least one department where more than half of the employees have been on the job less than 3 years. Those employees saw a larger percentage of a raise, as the base salary was raised, and they were brought up to that level. Good for them, but the employees who had much more experience, even 5+ years of experience, now make very little more. Their raises were very much a less percentage.

Any department like that (with a majority of "new" hires less than 3 yrs on the job), where the base salary was brought up to the level of comparable jobs (comparable skills, comparable sized companies/municipalities) could be skewed like this.

The commission did not just toss out raises willy-nilly, pulling numbers out of the air. A disinterested third party did a very in-depth study and came up with the numbers.