DAYTON - Employees of the Columbia County Health System will reap benefits in the form of a 2.5 percent salary increase, approved by the hospital board along with the rest of the 2013 budget for the health system.

During the board meeting on Nov. 20, Chief Financial Officer John Hennessy said the cost of living is expected to increase by 1.7 percent in 2013, but because there was no salary increase last year, employees can expect a 2.5 percent salary bump across the board.

Hennessy said last year the 401(k) match benefit was cut from 5 percent to 3 percent and increasing the match back to 5 pe...