After months of reviewing and discussing the potential pay scale for Greenwood County, the commission approved various proponents of the plan during its weekly meeting on Monday, July 20.
Emergency Manager Levi Vinson presented the position categories by level; corresponding hourly rates; elected official rates and appointed salary positions for approval. Vinson shared that minor edits were made to the position categories by level for realignment reasons. There will be things that come up, and we will have to adapt,” stated Vinson. “It is more fiscally responsible than what we have been doing,” he continued. The commission approved the position categories by level and their corresponding hourly rates (as published in the June 17 edition). The commission then referenced concerns about longevity for appointed. Commission Mac Obourn said, “I do believe that having experience counts for something,” he continued. He noted that appointed and hourly employees will receive longevity. Commissioner Roy Ballard noted that every position and everyone is different; further noting that people have different knowledge and work ethic. He believed that the pay scale should note years of terms and not years of service for elected officials.
“When we started this,” stated Vinson, “I tried to make all three the same, identical, and I struggled with the elected. The more I worked on it, it needs its own separate pay scale. Hourly/appointed employees are evaluated.” It was also noted that the elected pay scale notes a 1% annual increase during their four-year terms.
Discussion was then held regarding the election and motor vehicle funds. The pay scale currently includes funds being distributed from those accounts in the overall wage, whereas previously it was separated. Commissioners will revisit the topic in a few weeks when Counselor Paul Dean is in attendance.
Commissioner Preston Evenson asked for the road and bridge department to work on the following programs: bridge maintenance, chip/ seal, cleaning ditches, mowing, cutting trees and helping Noxious Weed with spraying. He also addressed various culvert and road concerns.
Noxious Weed Director Debi Selfridge provided an update on what the department has completed in recent weeks, showing a diagram of where specific spraying has been done.
The commission approved the July 13 meeting minutes; special payables, $3,587.22; regular payables, totaling $190,503.02; and regular payroll, totaling $166,460.09.
The treasurer’s report was reviewed.
In old business, Commissioner Judd Everitt asked for an update on tag fees/motor vehicle fund. The commission asked to add Treasurer Staci Pearse to the agenda for a future meeting to answer a variety of questions.
County resident Paul Hodge asked a variety of questions. He noted that it has been nine years since the county began working to replace the bridge at 100th Street and U Road. It was noted again that the bridge should be completed by March 2027, as the county has received a grant.
He also asked about chip seal vs. asphalt projects, with the commission referencing a prior breakdown of costs. It was noted that the county would save approximately $33,000 if they completed work themselves vs. hiring a crew to complete various projects. Editor’s note: Figures were calculated/ presented to the commission during 2025. Additional questions pertained to the election process and use of railroad cars.
The commission held a budget work session following the weekly meeting. The next scheduled meeting for the Greenwood County Commission is Monday, July 27, at 9 a.m., in the Greenwood County Courthouse commission meeting room.
