Pay Raises May Be Coming For Cobb Fire, Police

MARIETTA, GA -- Cobb County Commissioners are expected to address police pay and retention at their May 28 meeting by voting for a one-time $1,475 merit-based payment for officers, deputies and certified firefighters. The payment will go to personnel who scored satisfactory or higher job performance ratings in 2018.

“This is the first of a multi-phase approach to address the issue of public safety retention and compensation,” said Cobb County Commission Chairman Mike Boyce. “The board will be considering other measures in the weeks ahead.”

Public Safety Director Michael Register said this is the first of several short-term approaches prior to October when the next fiscal year starts. “I’m optimistic there are more options being considered by the board of commissioners who I believe are committed to addressing the ongoing problem,” he said.

The current personnel budgets for Police and Fire should be able to handle this one-time payment, but the Sheriff’s Office budget will require a general fund expenditure of $694,964.

Fire Chief Randal Crider says the department’s Fire Fund will use leftover personnel services funds for this one-time benefit. “Our desire is that this is one of many steps toward recruiting and retaining firefighters and police officers,” he said.

Boyce has proposed a 3% merit-based raise for county employees in the FY 2020 budget, including those in law enforcement. Commissioners said they are still considering other ways to give police and fire more pay raises.

“The police department is proud of its employees and the hard work they are doing every day, for the citizens of this county,” said interim Police Chief Tim Cox. “This one-time bonus is a small token of our appreciation and one aspect of a much broader, long term plan being developed to address pay and benefit concerns.”