EDITOR’S NOTE: The Gaffney Ledger publishes the salaries of all employees of public entities who make more than $50,000. The S.C Freedom of Information Act requires those salaries be released. We believe taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent. The salaries of other governmental bodies in Cherokee County will be published in upcoming editions of The Gaffney Ledger.
Gaffney Board of Public Works General Manager Donnie Hardin proudly announced the utility has hit a “milestone.”
And the utility’s 76 employees couldn’t be happier.
According to Hardin, every BPW employee earns more than $50,000 a year.
“It’s a milestone, and I’m proud of it,” Hardin said.
Hardin, of course, is the highest paid at $174,803, according to information provided by the utility.
Two newly-hired employees, Ty Irby and Brad Jolly, are the lowest paid at $50,003.
“Year after year, the Board of Public Works continues to have the lowest utility rates and most reliable service in Cherokee County and South Carolina,” Hardin said. “I am very proud of the outstanding job our employees continue to do and that we are able to provide all our employees with a wage and benefit package comparable to other utilities while providing lower utility rates than any other utility. Experienced, highly skilled and dedicated employees are our greatest asset and a primary reason for our low rates and reliable service. All of our employees are essential to our organization and to this community.”
The utility’s employee benefit package is also very competitive. All full-time employees receive a standard benefits package including required employer contributions to the South Carolina Retirement System, FICA, Medicare, Workman’s Compensation insurance, paid holidays, personal time leave, uniforms, a Christmas bonus, health, disability and life insurance.
The Board also matches a percentage of employee contributions to the South Carolina Deferred Compensation 457/401K plans.
All employees, except for Hardin, received a 5% cost of living raise.
In addition to Hardin, 10 other employees make more than $100,000 a year.
Assistant manager and operations engineer Cory Cox is the next highest employee at $159,120, a jump of nearly $30,000 from his previous salary. Business manager/public relations manager Clary Phillips also saw a hefty jump from $75,000 to $104,000.
Electrical superintendent Brad Wright ($122,200), wastewater plants superintendent Joseph Ruppe ($113,568), water plants superintendent Bryant Fleming ($110,427), finance/accounts payable director Diane Fowler ($110,323), purchasing agent/warehouse manager Brice Moss ($108,555), distribution/collection superintendent Randall Bell ($104,000), human resources/payroll director Kristen Chapman ($102,444) and information technology Tyler Bagwell ($101,920) round out the $100,000 a year club.
Wright and Bell also get a Board-provided vehicle. In lieu of a company car, Hardin and Cox receive a $1,200 monthly reimbursement for personal vehicle expenses.
Commissioners receive the following monthly salaries: Chairman (Roger Harris)$ 800, Treasurer (James Kelly)-$775, all other Commissioners (Grady Randolph, DeWitt McCraw, Meredith McKey)-$750. Commissioner salaries have not changed since 2006.
Board of Public Works employees earning more than $50,000 (Click here to view PDF)
Donnie L. Hardin* General Manager $ 174,803.00
Cory D. Cox, PE* Assistant Manager/Operations Engineer 159,120.00
Henry Brad Wright* Electrical Superintendent 122,200.00
Joseph Adam Ruppe* Wastewater Plants Superintendent 113,568.00
Bryant Fleming* Water Plants Superintendent 110,427.00
Diane Fowler* Finance/Accounts Payable Director 110,323.00
Brice Moss* Purchasing Agent/Warehouse Manager 108,555.00
Clary W. Phillips* Business Manager/Public Relations 104,000.00
Randall Bell* Distribution/Collection Superintendent 104,000.00
Kristen Chapman* Human Resources/Payroll Director 102,440.00
Tyler Bagwell* Information Technology 101,920.00
William K. Benton, Jr. Plant Maintenance 98,800.00
Clay Shipley* Information Technology 96,096.00
Zane Knight Water Plant Lab Director 95,181.00
William Seacrest Electrical Line Foreman 93,600.00
Greg Price Distribution/Collection Foreman 93,558.00
Roger Wayne Bolin Fleet Maintenance Director 93,558.00
Thomas Couch Plant Maintenance 91,436.00
Ken Moore Electrical Lineman Crew Leader 89,003.00
Steve Steele* GIS/Drafting Manager 87,984.00
Bobby Jones Water Plant Operator 86,528.00
Mathew Harper Cross Connections & Plant Operations 86,528.00
James Austin Hodges Water Plant Operator 86,528.00
Clayton Keller Water Plant Operator 86,528.00
Jack Humphries Electrical Lineman Crew Leader 85,363.00
Brett C. Clary Electrical Lineman Crew Leader 84,947.00
Bryan Keith Paysour Distribution/Collection Crew Leader 84,968.00
Ernie Owens Distribution/Collection Crew Leader 84,552.00
Justin K. Whisnant Electrical Lineman 84,115.00
Alvin F. Simpson Wastewater Plant Chief Operator 83,200.00
Timothy B. Millwood Electrical Lineman 77,147.00
Gatlin Sarratt Wastewater Plant Operator 76,960.00
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