The Monroe County Clerk’s Office wants the county council to approve higher salaries and more overtime pay for her workers as part of its 2024 budget request.
Monroe County Clerk Nicole Browne asked that of the council Thursday at the second of five budget hearings scheduled this month.
Read more: Council supports 34% salary increase for city clerk in 2024
Browne said the request was prompted by an increased cost of living and a lack of employee pay growth.
“The cost of nearly every single that that it takes to live on has gone up substantially,” Browne said. “The absence of commensurate pay means that my offices are literally doing more for less.”
Browne’s request includes raises for several positions and $30,000 in overtime pay, or $10,000 more than what’s in the 2023 adopted budget.
The council adopted an amendment to her request bringing the 2024 overtime pay to $25,000, however. Both that amendment and a motion to approve Browne’s amended 2023 request passed by a vote of 6-1.
Council member Marti Hawk voted against both, saying overtime has been abused in the past.
The council’s votes during budget hearings are non-binding. A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3, followed by a final adoption on Oct. 17.
