Nearly $1 million in raises for county employees was approved by the Dawson County Board of Commissioners during its March 2 voting session. As a result of a recently completed salary study, the commission voted to adopt a new pay plan option that will include giving all employees a 2 percent raise, bringing all current employee salaries up to minimum and give employees credit for years of service. The 2 percent raise is a Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA. Bringing all current employee salaries up to the minimum for their job classification will make sure that no one is being underpaid for the work they are doing in comparison to surrounding counties, and employees will have an opportunity to earn more the longer they work for the county.