MOULTRIE, Ga. — A budget proposal for Colquitt County government includes salary increases for most county employees, with about $577,881 earmarked toward law enforcement officers.

Colquitt County Commission will vote on the final version of the budget during a 5 p.m. meeting on Thursday.

There is still the chance that commissioners could reduce the total amount for employee raises or make other tweaks prior to voting, but board members have spoken favorably of the proposal over several weeks of budget discussions.

Colquitt County Sheriff Rod Howell initially had asked for $620,906 in pay increases.

Howell made the request in part to help retain qualified officers. Some other police departments and sheriff’s offices in the area have higher pay, which in the past has lured trained officers to seek jobs where the wages are better.

“As the sheriff told   the board during his   budget presentation, he has been having a difficult time remaining competitive in terms of pay with surrounding law

enforcement agencies, to include the state law enforcement agencies,” Colquitt County Administrator Chas Cannon said. “The board and the sheriff felt like this was the way to go to get our own law enforcement salaries a little more competitive. In talking with the sheriff, I think it will have an immediate impact.”

Howell said he is hopeful, but would wait until after Thursday’s vote before making any comment.

Sheriff’s office employees make up about 40 percent of the overall county workforce, Cannon said.

Jailers and deputies are not the only county employees who look likely to get raises. The budget also includes up to $150,000 to fund pay increases for employees in other departments.

It will be restricted to full-time employees only, Cannon said.

“I will tell you that our county employees are extremely grateful for any increase in pay, no matter how big or small,” he said. “They are dedicated, hard workers and I would put them up against anybody.”

With an unemployment rate of less than 4 percent in the county, Cannon said he already is looking ahead.

“I think next year we are going to try and take a closer look at non-sheriff positions and see what we can do there to make sure we remain competitive in those categories as well,” Cannon said. “(Low unemployment) will put pressure on all employers, to include the county, to find competent and qualified employees.”

The budget as presented to commissioners calls for no increase in the tax millage rate for county property owners. The proposed budget, a bit under $22 million, would see the county spending about $375,000 from cash in reserves.

In previous years the county has generally spent less out of reserves than it had budgeted because some departments came in under budget.