County officials are considering creating a new committee that would oversee employee pay and benefits.

At the county Budget and Finance Committee meeting Thursday night, County Executive Jimmy Haley mentioned that he and Practical Solutions Consulting owner David Britton have discussed creating a new committee specifically to study employee pay.

“David Britton and I have been working on pay scales and some benefit packages including insurance and you know if it is the wishes of the commission and it could include you as well as chairman of Budget and Finance to put together a committee to study pay salary, pay scales, step raises, benefit packages, and insurance options that might be available for certain employees,” said Haley. The idea comes as many county employees are leaving due to low pay and expensive insurance costs.

“I am getting lots of phone calls and questions about not only raises, but many elected officials and department heads are losing employees right and left because of pay scales, benefit packages, and cheaper insurance. The Sheriff’s Department

has lost several to Bridgestone to signing bonuses and starting out pay of $20,000 to $30,000 more than what they are making at the Sheriff’s Department. If we are going to retain employees, we are going to have to look at something long term and a permanent fix with clauses for step raises and benefit packages or I’m not sure how much longer we are going to be able to employee people,” said Haley.

Budget and Finance Committee chair Scott Rubley told Haley to let him know more about the potential new committee when he knows more.