"Really, since consolidation, except law enforcement, you haven't seen an increase in salaries because we didn't have step increases," said Watkins.
The county says a pay scale was implemented in July 2015 led to a 1.5% cost of living adjustment in 2016. That was just a one-time adjustment.
"When there's no pressure on, we all think that all of us agree employees -- sheriff's office, firemen, public works employees -- should be paid at the highest we can pay them. It comes down to when the pressure of how to do it hits, hopefully we'll make this something set in stone," said Watkins.
Citizen Mike Odom took the podium to say he's happy with the decision, after voicing support for raises for the fire department and sheriff's office in previous meetings.