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Escambia County Commissioners voted to approve the Fiscal year 2025 budget on Monday after working to make the most of the funds available.

Commission Chairman Raymond Wiggins applauded the work of the county administration and department heads for working together to make the most of what the county has financially.

“We were able to include a 50 cent per hour pay raise for all employees across the board,” Wiggins said. “We appreciate the hard work of all of our employees and wish we could do more. But, this is the best we could do with what we had to work with on the budget.”

Wiggins also said that the addition of Good Friday back to the scheduled holidays for employees is a benefit as well.

“We also saw an increase of about $75,000 in our medical insurance for employees,” Wiggins said. “We aren’t passing that cost to the employees, but will absorb that on their behalf.”

Commissioner Brandon Smith echoed thanks to those involved in creating and balancing the budget for the year.

“I appreciate the administration and department heads with their work on the budget,” Smith said. ‘In times like we’re faced with now it’s hard to come up with a budget like this and I’m pleased with it.”

Sheriff Heath Jackson joined in the conversation by offering his thanks to the Commission.

“I know that budgeting season is tough for the Commission,” Jacksons said. “I appreciate the work you’ve done and what you’ve done for the county, especially the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.”

In other business Monday, the Commission:

• approved the annual asphalt bid to Mobile Asphalt for in-plae, striping and shoulder work and to HO Weaver & Sons for plant mix FOB Atmore plant;

• approved the annual crushed aggregate bid to Brooklyn Limestone for Limerock, Dunn Construction and Vulcan Materials for Limestone and North Montgomery Materials for granite;

• approved annual signs and sign post bid to Vulcan Signs;

• renewed the CIMS license agreement for three years;

• confirmed a letter of support for the University of Alabama proposal for the gulf Futures Challen;

• approved Baron Weather Threat Neg agreement;

• reviewed the Alabama Department of Youth Services long-term detention subsidy contract and amendment.