After years without a pay hike, Cobb County workers may be due for a raise.

While things are still tight in Cobb, the county’s 4,200 employees haven’t had a raise in at least five years. Nobody knows that better than Chairman Tim Lee. After looking at a surplus in the county’s medical and dental fund, commissioners will next week consider giving those workers a 3% pay hike.

“You’re not going to buy any cars on that, but it is an indication of the direction this county is going to go in,” said Lee. In other words, he said, it is an expression of confidence.

The raise is based on a recommendation from the Citizen’s Oversight Committee, Lee said.

Reaction from county workers who spoke with WSB on the condition of anonymity was mixed. While most felt three percent was a little insulting after up to five years without a raise, all agreed, it was better than nothing.