BEAUFORT, S.C. (Dec. 14, 2021) – City Council approved at first reading on Dec. 13 a budget amendment that would give a cost-of-living adjustment to City of Beaufort employees. If approved at Council’s next meeting on Jan. 10, 2023, the 5% adjustment would go into effect in mid-January.
The adjustment was needed to keep City salaries competitive with other area and regional governments, City Manger Bill Prokop told City Council at a Work Session on Nov. 29.
The adjustment in salaries, along with an adjustment in the health insurance premium rates paid by employees, will cost approximately $378,000 this budget year, Finance Director Alan Eisenman told City Council. That is being covered by higher-than-budgeted city revenues and flat expenses. The City will not be using American Rescue Plan Act funds for the adjustments, nor will it dip into its General Fund balance.
“We want our folks to be well compensated with inflation, housing costs, and other economic factors,” said Mayor Stephen Murray at the meeting Tuesday, noting that it was important to keep up with the cost of living.
######