BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Widespread raises were given to several employees of local governments when legislative bodies approved draft budgets last month and enacted them on July 1.
WCLU News obtained information about pay raises and current payroll figures from area governments. Social security, Medicare, retirement, insurance and other contributions were not included. Salaries alone are reported for the current fiscal year, which runs through June 30, 2023, for county and city government.
Barren County employees
Magistrates of the Barren Fiscal Court approved raises but made specifications for various positions. Most county employees got a four percent raise while a few saw a smaller increase.
Kathryn Thomas, county attorney, received a three percent raise, which increased to $27,766.74. She is also compensated by the state of Kentucky and makes $83,834.88, according to data collected from the state salary portal. Her secretary received a three percent raise, too.
A three percent raise was also provided to coroner deputies and the finance clerk.
County coroner received a four percent increase to its salary, which will take effect next January in whole. Tim Gibson, the current coroner, is the lowest paid salaried county employee, earning $31,209. The remainder of the raise will take effect in January.
Magistrates neglected themselves a raise. They receive a base salary of $11,404.62 and a monthly expense allowance of $285 for attending committee meetings.
Salaries for county judge/ executive, clerk, jailer and sheriff are set by the state. Each one currently makes $112,291.50.
Click here to see county salaries and changes from last year to this year.
The city of Glasgow employees
The city of Glasgow approved widespread raises when it approved the draft budget, too.
The city of Glasgow’s budget included an estimated $24,617,279 carryover balance from the last fiscal year. The city expects to generate $28,202,424 in revenue next year and expend $27,679,394, according to a budget copy obtained by WCLU News.
The three highest paid officials include Roger Simmons, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works; Jennifer Arbogast, the police chief; and William Rock, the fire chief.
- Simmons – $84,000
- Arbogast – $69,000
- Rock – $68,000
Certain incentive pay from the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund also adds to total pay for police and fire salaried positions.
The mayor of Glasgow did not receive a raise. The positions pays $59,696 plus a car allowance.
Council members make $717.88 each month, which is an annual salary of $8,614.56. They do not get any insurance benefits.
