A special meeting of the Scotland County commissioners has been called for Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss employee compensation.

The agenda for the meeting includes little detail, only revealing that there is to be a discussion.

Chairman Guy McCook, who called the meeting, said in a statement that commissioners needed “to discuss options to recognize our employees, who have served the county faithfully and loyally even during difficult times.”

A goal of the meeting is “also to recognize that the employees are essential to county operations and that they are the county’s most valuable asset in providing services to the community,” the statement said.

McCook and County Manager Kevin Patterson declined to elaborate, saying that they would rather wait until Thursday.

Earlier this year, the county returned half of the 2.5 percent of employee pay it had taken while budgeting for 2011-12 financial year.

A recent audit conducted by the Lundin Accounting firm revealed that the county’s budget tightening has been a success. According to the audit, the county had grown its uncommitted fund balance, exceeding what was required by the Local Government Commission. At 9.8 percent, the fund balance has added some flexibility to the county’s finances.

The special meeting will take place on at the conference room of the county municipal office at 507 West Covington St.