County employees get 3 percent hike (08/08/2008)

The discussion over county salary increases, which some council members appeared to be dreading earlier in the week, took no more than 10 minutes to settle.

The county council decided to award a 3 percent salary increase across the board - for all part-time, full-time and elected officials - and to freeze everyone in their longevity steps.

Financial adviser Greg Guerretaz opened the meeting by giving a brief overview of the county's current financial state and said the county could afford a 3 percent increase in salaries and still hold water, but warned that "we've got to be careful."

The council dove into salaries first and after a quick introduction from councilwoman Marilyn Coleman about the state of salaries, council member Gerald Kirby suggested the flat increase.

"No steps, give a straight 3 percent across the board," Kirby said. "Just straight across the board."

"We can go (3 percent) cautiously," said Coleman after checking again with Guerretaz to make sure the proposed increase wouldn't break the bank.

"I think it's the simplest way," Kirby said.

With little discussion, the council voted unanimously, though council members Jim Zimmerman and Mike Leonhard were absent, to approve the increase.

Pleased, Coleman added, "I think that's the quickest we've ever discussed payroll."

In other business at the budget meeting Wednesday night, the county council:

•Tabled a request for a job description change for a department administrative assistant submitted by Jay/Portland Building and Planning director Bill Milligan for not less than one year. Milligan's original request was denied by the council on July 9. Milligan resubmitted the request, but the council has decided that it will be at least one year before they review the request again.

•Asked county auditor Nancy Culy to alter the assessor's budget to reflect the intent to rehire a former office employee. The employee left the assessors office about two years ago, but will be rehired pending council approval at a later date.

•Tabled action on whether to completely cut out salaries for Jay County's township assessors. Due to a new law passed by the Indiana legislature, the duties of township assessors have been removed. The county is not required to pay a salary to the former assessors, who are elected officials, until the end of their term if the council chooses not to. Council member Judy LeMaster suggested the council wait until next week's regular meeting to take action, in case any of the assessors wished to be heard.

•Approved a motion to move the sheriff's salary into the Local Option Income Tax budget. The fund, which holds money for public safety expenditures, will house the sheriff's near $84,000.

•Approved a motion to move the Economic Development Income Tax budget out of the commissioner's budget.

•Decided not to siphon money off the landfill fund to help bolster the county general balance. The council agreed the landfill monies would be better kept as a reserve in case of major economic troubles.

•Decided to wait for some figures about the county's health insurance expenditures before deciding if they would need to increase employee payments to help shoulder the cost. Culy said the county's insurance agent said there were more claims filed this year and was researching to see if changing providers might help alleviate some expense.

•Decided to wait for more information regarding whether to increase 911 fees. Ideally, Jay County sheriff Ray Newton would like to move the county's dispatcher salaries into the 911 fund to relieve the jail budget. Kirby said they council should wait until they receive more information from phone provider Embarq and Newton about the revenue and proposed expenses.[[In-content Ad]]