RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — After a 2022 compensation study and analysis, Richland County council members voted for an employee pay increase.
Officials say employees who work full-time for Richland County will receive an average increase of an extra $4,777 per year. The increase will cost the county $11.2 million annually.
Council Member Don Weaver, who represents District Six, was the only member to oppose the increase.
"Pay is important to a lot of people, but also hours are important, as far as being flexible, time off is important, benefits are important,” Weaver said. “I mean, I would have liked to looked at, hey, could we change some of the benefits in a more cost effective way without necessarily going up on salary this much? Because I felt like this was a pretty, in some cases, it was a 20-25% increase, and I just thought that was too much."
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said this pay increase will help keep the hiring process competitive with other law enforcement agencies. "Cost of living has went up for everything, and our salaries have really not went with other agencies either, so now we're very competitive."
Lott said he’s excited for the opportunity to pay his deputies more. "Every little bit helps,” Lott said. “So, I think when you're looking at your income and you budget every penny that you make more than what you had to begin with is going to be very helpful."
Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown said this pay increase is expected to help with recruitment and retention of county employees.
"We do believe that our salary study and the implementation will allow us to retain more of our top talent,” Brown said. “It will allow us to attract people who are also interested in providing service to their community, who are maybe concerned about not having a livable wage. It will allow them to live a comfortable life here in Richland County.”
The new pay increases are effective on December 21, 2023.