MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Mobile County employees will soon see a little extra money in their paychecks. The County Commission voted Monday morning to raise the subsistence pay from $5 to $10 per day. The pay is money the county gives as allowance for coming to work.
"I think it's great. I think it's marvelous. I am very very happy about it," said county employee Carrie Perreira.
"We understand that you have gone five years now without a raise, and we're sensitive to that. We can't {provide} a raise because it wouldn't be responsible," said County Commissioner Merceria L. Ludgood.
Starting February, employees will receive $10 each day they work. That is an extra $50 per pay period.
"It's been frustrating because it's been a number of years since they've seen any increase, and times have been difficult. We've had to make cuts," said County Commissioner Connie Hudson.
County officials stated this time there was a surplus in the budget from recent revenue. It was not enough to increase pay across the board, but it was just enough to increase subsistence pay.
Perreira stated, "I think employees are happy, and I'm glad the commission decided to do that."
The increase will last until the end of the fiscal year in September. Officials hope to sustain the budget to keep the extra pay going after September.
Certainly that will be part of our considerations during our budget this summer, but it depends on funds available," said Ludgood.
County officials are working to get equal pay for employees who work a full 40 hours a week in less than five days.
