RINGGOLD _ The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners is allocating significant resources to provide additional salary increases for first responders without raising County property taxes in their proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes a millage rate rollback rate to 6.287 mills. The FY 2023 millage rate was 7.348 mills.
“The Catoosa County Board of Commissioners understands the importance of attracting and retaining the most valuable asset that the county has, which is people,” said Catoosa County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry C. Black. “The demand we place on public safety services is growing, and we are committed to maintaining competitive opportunities for people to serve our citizens.”
The following resources have been allocated in the proposed FY 2023-24 budget:
Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office
The Board of Commissioners is allocating $668,152 to the Sheriff’s Office for annual pay increases, which could give every full-time Sherriff’s Office employee a $5,740 increase, provided that the funds are distributed equally. This additional funding also supports pay raises for Jail/Detention officers, who could receive a $4,062 annual increase for 42-hour per week employees, and a $3,868.70 annual increase for 40-hour per week employees.
Catoosa County Emergency Management Agency/911
The Board of Commissioners is allocating $98,312 in additional funding to provide annual salary increases to 911 Operators and Supervisors of $4,160. All other EMA/911 employees are to receive a $3,500 annual pay raise.
Catoosa County Fire Department
The Board of Commissioners has allocated $503,629 for annual pay increases to firefighters. This additional funding will result in these pay scales:
- Firefighter: $49,249
- Sergeant: $52,326
- Lieutenant: $57,251
- Captain: $62,268
All other employees of the Fire Department will receive a $3,500 annual increase provided they have not exceeded the pay plan scale.
Catoosa County General Government
In addition to the first responder salary increases, The Board of Commissioner is allocating funds to provide all full-time General Government employees with a $3,500 annual salary increase. This increase does not include elected officials or employees who are paid by the State of Georgia and with grants.
The General Fund Proposed Budget for FY 2024 is $41,215,311 and is available for public review at the Administrative Offices Building, 800 Lafayette Street, Ringgold, and online at:
https://www.catoosa.com/departments/view-all-departments/finance
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2024 budget on Tuesday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Administrative Offices Building, 800 Lafayette Street, Ringgold. The Board is scheduled to adopt the FY 2024 budget during a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 22 at 12:00 p.m.
