County heads want raises for employees

Although they realize the projected budget situation for Custer County in 2011 is not a good one, the heads of the various departments for the county are unanimous in their desire to see their employees receive a raise.

The department heads presented their stance at the Aug. 11 meeting of the Custer County Commission, as emergency management director Mike Carter, speaking on behalf of the department heads, said the department heads had a meeting and figured if each of the different departments gave up $250 of their budgets, county employees could get a raise of 25 cents an hour. An email sent out confirmed all of the department heads were on board with the idea. The commission has warned the budget situation for the county is not pretty, with cuts needing to be made to balance the budget.

“Our most valuable asset are our employees,”â��Carter said.

Carter said all the department heads realize the commission is in a position to have to make some of the most difficult budgetary decisions in the history of Custer County, but that the raises can be given while still balancing the budget. Carter added the department heads volunteered not to receive a raise so their employees can receive one.