Tulare County Supervisors have a big day ahead of them. The largest budget in the county's history is on the table, roughly $962 million. County Administrative Officer, Jean Rousseau says it will likely pass.
Also on the agenda, a decision that could increase the wealth of every supervisor, "From my perspective they earn their pay and deserve what they get," Rousseau added.
He says the county is fulfilling a promise to Rita Woodard. She's a county official who took on several titles a few years ago but didn't get a raise for it.
Now that raise is back on the table. If the board approves it, each member will have the opportunity to also get a raise. "The way we have it set up...whatever increases we give to our county elected officials our supervisors receive an average of that increase."
That increase is just 1.25% but it's on top of a nearly 4.5% increase 3 out of 5 supervisors accepted in July. According to the numbers the county gave KSEE 24 News, those 3 supervisors' salaries would jump to roughly $95,000 a year.
County resident, Arthur Comeau said, "I think that's too much money for a governmental official," he added, "let the public decide, I think it should be put to a public vote instead of a panel vote."
There is good news for county employees. A pay raise is tied into the budget for roughly 2 thousand of them. To put things in perspective, Rousseau says no employee has received a pay raise in at least 3 years.
The board of supervisors will meet Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. The budget hearing is expected to begin an hour later.
TXT 24
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