Putnam Commissioners Approve Work Release Program
The Putnam County Sheriffs Department will launch a new work release program when the expanded jail opens. Putnam County Commissioners approved the program Monday night. Sheriff Eddie Farris said up to 30 inmates could participate. He said inmates could either qualify to continue working existing jobs and serve time at night, or be selected to […]
Employee Pay Major Factor In Overton Budget Plans
Overton County Executive Steven Barlow has employee cost of living on his mind as the county’s budget process begins. Barlow said Overton County Commissioners will have some big decisions to make in June as they finalize the budget. He said the county has not raised taxes in a decade, but prices have skyrocketed since then. […]
Van Buren Schools Faculty, Staff Get Raises In Budget
The Van Buren County School Board passed its fiscal year budget Wednesday night that includes a $2,000 raise for teachers and a $1,200 raise for hourly staff. Director of Schools Jared Copeland said the teacher salary increase would put the minimum salary at some $45,600 for fiscal year 2025. He said the raise bumps teacher […]
Tech Repeats As Best In State On Return On Investment
Tennessee Tech is once again ranked the number-one public university in Tennessee in student return on investment and career pay. Payscale’s 2023 College Salary Report shows Tech graduates make a median starting salary of some $66,000. The report shows Tech graduates achieve a 20-year return on investment of some $450,000, some $90,000 higher than any […]
Rodgers: Putnam Salaries Across The Board Compared To Other Public, Private Employers
Putnam County’s recently conducted salary study revealed that the county is generally behind on paying county employees for many positions. That’s according to Commission Budget Chair Ben Rodgers. He said the report compared the county to similar-sized counties and to jobs in the private sector. Rodgers said while both are issues, he is more concerned […]
Gainesboro Aldermen Discuss Salary Increase For Police Department
Gainesboro Board of Aldermen will consider exploring increasing pay rates for its police department in the upcoming budget season. Alderwoman Nancy Pruett said the city of Gainesboro has the lowest starting salary of all the surrounding cities of comparable size. She said the starting salary for an officer is $13.50 an hour. “All these other […]
CRMC Budgets Almost $7M More For Staff Wage Increase
Cookeville Regional to increase its budget for salaries, wages, and benefits for fiscal year 2023 by almost $7 million. Chief Financial Officer Tommye Rena Wells said that brings that budget item up to some $155 million. “During the current fiscal year, the facility increased our wages by almost $7 million for various market adjustments,” Wells […]
DeKalb Schools To Increase Salaries Of Personnel
DeKalb County teachers, non-certified personnel, and bus drivers will see an increase in their next paycheck. Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said that the board of education has been working to better compensate employees. He said that the board wants to be able to compete for teachers with the bigger surrounding districts. “To be competitive […]
Cumberland County Raising Pay In Budget To Stay Competitive
Cumberland County’s budget includes an increase in employee pay across the board to stay competitive in the region. Mayor Allen Foster said a six percent raise is included and certified sheriff’s deputy pay is up to $39,000. Foster said residents deserve a county willing to compete for the best candidates in all positions. “We’re like […]
Overton Considering Its Options To Fill County Positions
Overton County, like many Upper Cumberland Counties are struggling to find and retain employees. County Executive Ben Danner said there was a time when the benefits included with a county job were viewed highly. However, with the push to raise wages in the private sector even falling flat in some industries, it is difficult to […]
