By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
It pays to move to Columbus County.
At least that is part of the message the Board of Commissioners sent Monday night when they agreed to reimburse the social services director $1,250 of her $3,000 moving expenses.
Columbus County Social Services Board Chairwoman Ruth Storms asked the board of commissioners Monday to approve moving expenses for the new director.
Linda Fry, a director in Marion, S. C. at the time, took the position months ago but no moving expenses were negotiated in her contract; in fact, Fry has no written employment contract.
“As you know, we elected to have a lady from South Carolina to come as director of DSS,” Storms told the board. ”I think it is important that we pay her for moving here.”
Storms also suggested that the county change employment policies to include moving expenses for department heads in the future.
“I see no dollar amount here,” Commissioner Amon McKenzie said of the printed request.
“Mrs. Fry is an absolute pleasure to work with,” Commissioner Ronald Gore said. He serves on the DSS board and replaced McKenzie earlier this year.
“I think it would be a wonderful gesture,” Gore said. He suggested the board pay about half of the moving expense or $1,250. He asked the board to use a portion of funds taken from the 10 percent salary cut commissioners took in June. The cut totaled about $10,500.
“That would be a minimal amount from each commissioner,” Gore explained.
“That’s $150 a piece, gentlemen,” Chairman Sammie Jacobs said.
“I have already allocated that mine will go to fund balance — I can’t change that,” Commissioner James Prevatte said.
“I’m not supportive of changing the policy,” he added.
Storms pointed out that she was not recommending the policy change for “any employee, only management.”
Some department heads do not live in the county. The board waived a former requirement that the county manager live in the county upon hiring the previous manager, Jim Varner.
Commissioner Ricky Bullard asked if multiple quotes had been received on the moving expense.
Gore said Fry got different quotes.
McKenzie pointed out that one or two commissioners had requested the 10 percent pay cut go into the general fund.
Gore then suggested anything already allocated come from what was left out of his salary.
“Just pay it,” Commissioner Bill Memory said, trying to end the debate about where the money should come from. He added that for “these folks looking on the outside in” and for possible manager candidates, it would be attractive.
“I recommend to the boards when they hire managers these things be considered when you hire them.
“When it costs $2,500 to $3,000 it may be best to include it in a contract.”
“First of all, we don’t have a contract,” Gore explained.
“Let’s take care of the lady. What do you say?” Jacobs said.
The board voted unanimously to reimburse Fry $1,250 moving expenses.