A vote on Hamilton County’s more than $1 billion budget has been delayed a week amid disagreement about the amount of funding to provide the school district for employee pay raises.
“We’re still out of alignment,” Commissioner Ken Smith, R-Hixson, said during the meeting. “I believe we can get this worked out in a week.”
The school board approved a $674 million budget June 20 and sent it to commissioners for their consideration Wednesday. It would give employees a $2,800 flat pay increase, ensure all teachers make at least $50,000, boost compensation for classified employees like electricians, and fund increases based on years of service.
It’s essentially the same budget Superintendent Justin Robertson presented to the commission in May, which sought a $21 million increase in funding from the county. County officials have said they’re wrestling with a slim growth in revenue this year of about $9 million, which includes gains from grants, sales taxes and property taxes.
The Hamilton County Commission will now vote on the consolidated general government and schools budget July 3. Meanwhile, the school board has scheduled a meeting Thursday to again consider its spending plan for the upcoming year. The county’s next fiscal year begins July 1.