Soddy-Daisy Commissioner Shane Harmon
Soddy-Daisy residents will not see a tax hike this year, but city employees could see an across-the-board raise after the City Commission passed the first reading of its $10 million budget.
Commissioner Shane Harmon, the lone opponent to the 5 percent raise in last Thursday’s 4-1 vote, said he made his decision based on the state of the economy.
“I know it’s been awhile since employees had a substantial raise, and I know they deserve one. But I think now is the wrong time,” Harmon said. “Folks who run their own businesses are having to take pay cuts just to make payroll these days.”
Harmon, who runs several businesses in Soddy-Daisy, also said he was against across-the-board raises.
“You should give raises based on performances,” he said. “And you don’t award people more money just because they make more money.”