
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 1, 1993                   TAG: 9307300094
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

WYTHE OKS DEPARTMENT PAY RAISES

The Wythe County Board of Supervisors has budgeted $31,378 to give county social services workers wage increases comparable to what the board approved earlier for employees in the county's five constitutional offices.

The board had voted 4-3 on June 30 to subsidize the salaries of about 55 employees in constitutional offices, providing $14,370 in local funds to bring their raises up to those provided for other county employees.

Several board members said then they were afraid they were "opening Pandora's box" and that other requests might follow. One did, almost at once - for the 38 employees of the county's Department of Social Services.

Social Services Director Mike Hall argued that those employees worked as hard as county workers in water service, recreation, refuse disposal and other areas who got raises.

When the board vote came Tuesday on the raises for the social services employees, it was unanimous. But the board noted that it was a one-time-only supplement and would not necessarily stay part of future salary considerations.

by CNB