Mayor wants to double city workers’ raises

The Sun Herald, 1/27/9

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton has proposed a new plan to double the raises that city employees received this fiscal year.

But the $1.2 million plan faces a battle from the city council.

Melton wants to give nonsworn employees an additional $600 a year and sworn employees, such as police officers, an additional $1,200 a year.

It would match the raises the council signed off on starting Oct. 1. Melton said he did not think the raise was large enough.

Melton’s plan is on the council’s meeting agenda for Tuesday night. But council President Leslie Burl McLemore said the raises will not be voted on. Instead the proposal will be sent to the budget committee for debate.