Last week, WZQZ News reported that the state has mandated pay increase for county officials.  Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry says that pay increase is going to affect the 2023 county budget.

The raises, which most state employees also received, were determined by the governor’s office and the legislature. The raises received by county-level elected officials must be funded by the counties. See related article from WZQZ

Commissioner Elsberry says that pay increases along with other factors, will mean an increase in the county budget of around 7.6%.

The pay raises were part of legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly in the last legislative session.  The commissioner will have a public hearing next Friday, December 16th at 10 AM at the commissioner’s office to review the 2023 budget.  The commissioner says a copy of the budget will be posted on the county’s website at www.chattoogacounty.org