VALDOSTA ­— Valdosta City Council Members discussed the cost of giving employee raises at the city’s annual planning retreat March 18.

Officials suggested the increased pay could be funded with a millage rate increase, but considered other options as well. The $2,112,649 million spending hike is being considered as part of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2017, that will not be voted on until June.

Under the proposed compensation plan, the minimum salaries for firefighters would increase to $33,000.24 and $37,004.24 for police officers.

Read at The Valdosta Daily Times.