The approved priorities are health insurance, employee compensation, new positions and operating expenses.
Supervisor Bob Long said while he agreed with the importance of supporting county employees, he questioned whether health insurance and competition should be prioritized first. Long said critical services to citizens should take precedence from a budgeting standpoint.
âThatâs why we're here, isnât it? The county exists to serve our citizens,â Long said.
Supervisor Scottie Ard said the excellent service and response county residents receive is because of the exceptional staff. The way to retain that staff is with a competitive wage and excellent benefit package. Like the question of the chicken or the egg, Ard said in this case the staff comes first.