CLEVELAND - Following Monday night's White County budget hearing, commissioners held a called meeting where they approved a plan to implement a pay increase for county employees. <br />
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The board approved a 0.5-percent cost-of-living increase for all employees and a 2.5-percent performance merit increase based on individuals' evaluations. <br />
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Commissioners also approved a five-year contract extension with Advance Disposal Services for operation of the county solid waste transfer station. <br />
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Also approved was a two-year renewal of the agreement with Northeast Georgia Health System for emergency medical (ambulance) services. The contract will remain the same at $800,000 per year. <br />
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A memorandum of understanding with Lumpkin County was approved by commissioners for the provision of automatic aid fire services by the two counties. <br />
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White County Public Safety Director David Murphy said one of the benefits of this agreement is improved fire protection for residents in White County who live within a five-mile radius of a new fire station being built by Lumpkin County on Town Creek Church Road. <br />
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The agreement will be effective following the completion of the new fire station.
