Commissioners eliminate vacant custodial post to fund raises for current custodial staff

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved a substitute motion to eliminate a vacant custodial position and reallocate the position's funds to raise wages for current custodial staff.

Facilities supervisor Stewart Carroll asked the board to "freeze this position and help the folks that I presently have," explaining the custodial unit includes 12 positions, "9 of which don't even make $15 an hour." A commissioner supported the intent to raise wages but opposed simply freezing the position; the commissioner offered a substitute motion to eliminate the vacant post and use the funds for raises instead.

The substitute motion to eliminate the position and give raises was moved by Commissioner Bullard and seconded by Commissioner Floyd; the board approved the substitute motion by voice vote. After the substitute passed, the motion was recorded as passed.

The meeting record shows the board's action but did not include a detailed new pay scale, implementation timeline, or a personnel ordinance text in the public record. County staff and the facilities supervisor indicated the intent is to use the saved position dollars to increase current employees' pay; follow-up action by human resources and finance will be necessary to implement new wage steps and to update personnel records.

Next steps: human resources and finance will implement the wage adjustments funded by eliminating the vacant position and will report back to the board if further action is required.