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The Franklin County Finance Committee is working toward a 3.2 percent cost-of-living increase for county employees, but some department heads are asking for more money to give staff members additional compensation they are deemed to deserve.

However, the committee agreed to hold off on any additional compensation requests until after more detailed information surfaces on the status of the county’s overall budget, which is expected to total about $100 million.

Property Assessor Kathy Syler told the committee during a May 23 budget meeting that her department needs an additional $34,000 to provide money beyond the 3.2 percent COLA increase to give eight employees raises.

“I feel compelled to ask for the money for them because I think they deserve it,” she said.

County Commissioner David Eldridge, a committee member, said the county conducted a major analysis last year on the county’s salary schedules which delineated the 3.2 percent across-the-board increase, based the federal COLA adjustment. He added that deviating from that could create fairness issues.

“I think it’s very dangerous to give more,” he said, adding that some employees would be getting additional money while others wouldn’t. “We’ve got to be consistent in how we apply it, or we could quickly be stepping off into the muck.”

Syler’s request was one in a series from department heads asking for appropriation increases.

Extension Director Mary Beth Henley asked for funding to add a full-time 4-H extension agent.

Henley said the demand by youths to participate in 4-H programs is on the rise, and another full-time extension agent is greatly needed.

She said Extension Agent Hunter Isbell’s presence has been a drawing card, increasing interest by youths to participate in 4-H programs.

“They’re hungry to be in 4-H,” Henley said. “They’re hungry for the opportunity.”

Commissioner Scottie Riddle, also a committee member, echoed Henley’s assessment.

“4-H kids, that’s our future,” he said.

Henley said the total request is $77,000 which would provide salary and full benefits for the position.

She said the 4-H program works with 16 public and private schools, and the organization’s clubs serve more than 3,800 youths.

“With the addition of a 4-H extension agent, the 4-H program will sustain the current club impact, remain constant in all schools and allow for more participating in judging teams and 4-H project work outside the classroom,” Henley said.

Eldridge recently said the county is facing the same scenario it always does at the outset of the budget season — dealing with challenges and overcoming hurdles to balance the budget.

In this year’s case, he said, the circumstances are compounded due to recent high inflation and trying to ensure employees are compensated to offset it.

However, Eldridge said that with recent changes at the state level, the School System is expected to receive an increase in the state’s appropriation which should help in balancing the overall budget.

The School System’s overall budget request totals $56.4 million of the county’s projected $100 million budget.

The School System previously requested a 5 percent teacher-salary increase in the upcoming budget to align with Tennessee’s Teacher Paycheck Protection Act that will raise minimum compensation to $50,000 by the 2026-27 academic year.

Commissioner William Anderson, who chairs the County Commission’s School Committee, has said several factors will have to be considered in the process, including how much money the county will be receiving through the recently implemented Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula.

TISA replaced the Basic Education Program and updated the way Tennessee funds public education for the first time in more than 30 years.

TISA’s objective is to empower each student to read proficiently by the third grade, prepare each high school graduate for postsecondary success and provide resources needed to all students to ensure they succeed, according to the State of Tennessee government website.

However, since TISA is new, local school systems haven’t been sure of what funding level they will receive, which has led to uncertainty in setting annual budgets.

Anderson said the scenario is further complicated because sales-tax proceeds have been flat, and proceeds that Winchester should have received from Home Depot sales had gone to Decherd because of an appropriation error.

He added that Decherd will have to pay about $500,000 back, but the county will also be affected in the process, and just how much remains to be determined.

Anderson said the county will probably hold the line on its spending.

“I can’t foresee us raising taxes to pay raises,” he said. “That’s kind of where it’s at right now.”

While 5 percent teacher-salary increases have been requested, Anderson said the federal cost-of-living rate increased by 3.2 percent. He added that the compensation needs of county employees need to be included in the equation.

County Mayor Chris Guess has said the county’s financial goal is to keep property taxes as low as possible, and county leaders’ efforts have gone a long way in meeting that objective.

Last year, the county had faced a financial shortfall and approved a 12-cent property tax increase to offset it.

The property taxes on a $100,000 home in Franklin County areas outside city limits increased $30 annually from $467.50 to $497.50.

The average home value in Franklin County at the time was $230,000, meaning the taxes on that assessment increased by $69 annually, from $1,075.25 to $1,144.25.

Franklin County’s cities have a lower tax rate than the outside areas because municipal governments provide some of the services the county normally offers to rural residents, but the county tax rate for those communities also increased by 12 cents.

Commissioners have maintained that the county continues to face difficult financial times, and the property tax increase last year would have been difficult to avoid in balancing the budget.