Gwinnett County Workers Face Possible Benefits Cuts

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- A battle is brewing in Gwinnett County over possible cuts to employee benefits and compensation.

County officials said they are grappling with declining revenues and a budget shortfall, so they are examining which benefits to cut, with employee input.

Still, Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh found some employees feeling burdened to make up for that shortfall.

"We're taking the hit for the entire community," said county employee Aimee Gillen. She was one of dozens of county employees who packed the auditorium at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration building.

Workers gathered Tuesday to find out which of their benefits could be on the chopping block and how the cuts could affect them.

"There's real conces when they change the rules mid-game. Really, you can't depend on the promises that were made in the past, said county worker Robert Schep.

Schep has worked maintenance for the county for eight years. On Monday, Kavanaugh caught up with him while he was taking a benefits survey. He said the questions have him conceed about retirement.

"No option is a good option because they're all cost-control, cost-cutting measures, but of those which are most favorable to employees, said director of Gwinnett County Human Resources Kenneth Poe.

Poe said 70 percent of the county's budget covers personnel and the county can't afford to see that number grow. But he added that they value employees, so they are taking time to gather their opinions first.

All county employees are invited to take a survey asking them to prioritize benefits and what they could stand to lose.

"When's the teetering point and how far are we going to go?" Schep asked.

Poe said a task force of employees will break down all the data before they make recommendations, but cuts are inevitable.

"Yes, something will have to be cut," Poe said.

County employees have until June 20 to complete the survey. Then the employee task force will process all the data and conces they have heard and present a report to the Gwinnett County Administrator in August. The county will have to have new benefits package finalized before open enrollment in October.