Hall County sets 3% pay increase guideline and discusses bond timing for courthouse work

Hall County commissioners approved preliminary budget guidance for fiscal planning while hearing a bond‑market briefing from DA Davidson.

County budget staff presented a recommended framework and the board voted to use a 3% cost‑of‑living increase plus step increases for salary planning, to hold operating expense budgets at a 0% increase, to budget $300 per full‑time employee for retirement unfunded liability, and to set $5 per full‑time employee for unemployment contributions. The board also approved the draft budget letter and schedule for department submissions.

Paul Grigor of DA Davidson briefed the board on municipal bond markets and said 20‑year tax‑exempt financing of the type Hall County would consider is currently pricing in the low‑to‑mid 4% range. He recommended aligning bond sales with the county’s expected cash needs and said his firm would need roughly 60 days to prepare an initial bond issue if the board gave the green light.

Commissioners emphasized the need to coordinate the timing of bond sales with budget and levy considerations and requested the audit committee and county staff work with financial advisors and Davis Design to develop a financing plan that fits the project schedule and minimizes interest costs. The board directed staff to schedule follow‑up meetings and to place the courthouse financing plan into budget deliberations.