DeKalb County Proposes 4% Raise For Public Safety Officials

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DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond proposed a 4% pay raise for public safety officials Thursday.

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond proposed a 4% pay raise for public safety officials Thursday. 

If approved by county commissioners, 2,300 employees in the county would be eligible for the raise.

The pay increase covers people ranging from police to animal service officers, code enforcement officials, and district attorney investigators, and security technicians to name a few.

“DeKalb County remains committed to ensuring that our community is safe,” Thurmond said. “The county’s holistic approach to increase compensation for the men and women of public safety reflects the county’s commitment to protecting DeKalb citizens and improving the county’s public safety system.” 

The pay raise, which is included in next year's budget, would take effect in January and cost the county $5.4 million. The budget will be presented to county commissioners by Dec. 15 and their final meeting of the year is on Dec. 17.

DeKalb is just the latest county to propose a pay increase for public safety officials. 

Earlier this year, Fayette County approved a 9% increase and in Cobb, a 7% raise for public safety officials was approved as part of its budget. 

But in Bibb County, a similar request for a raise was shot down. 

Public safety departments across Georgia are facing a shortage of police and firefighters as they face retention challenges and wages remain low.