Council rescinds engineer raise

Jay County will be losing its longtime county engineer at the end of the year.

Dan Watson stated after a Jay County Council meeting Tuesday he would not be returning to the position in 2021.

His decision came after council voted to follow recommendations from the county’s personnel committee — Jay County council members Jeanne Houchins and Ted Champ, and commissioner Chuck Huffman — to keep Watson’s salary as it is with a 1% raise as other employees in the same job classification. Council had voted in September to give Watson an $18,000 raise in 2021 after he made the request, explaining that Indiana Department of Transportation provides counties employing a full-time, licensed engineer with an annual $40,000 stipend. (The stipend has doubled from its original amount of $20,000, which prompted engineers around the state to request pay increases, he said.)

The personnel committee also recommended Jay County Commissioners make 2021 the last year for a contract with the county engineer as opposed to being a county employee.

“I won’t come back at the salary they set,” Watson, who has worked for the county for 31 years, said after the meeting. “It’s kind of bittersweet, but it’s time.”

Watson’s raise was brought into question during an October meeting when council approved the 2021 budget. Council member Ted Champ, who was not present when Watson’s request was approved in September, asked why council couldn’t use those extra funds for other county purposes.

That led to further discussion by the personnel committee, which made its recommendation at Monday’s commissioners meeting and then again at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Council member Cindy Newton spoke in support of Watson, asking if this decision would leave him underpaid compared to others around the state.

Houchins responded that other counties are free to do as they choose.

“It’s just like any other elected official,” Houchins said. “A council person here in Jay County might make $10,000 less than a council person in Wells County … we work very hard to get everybody within a certain percentage of outside counties.”

Champ pointed out the funds are not designated specifically to raises for engineers.

“This is about a position, not a person,” he said. “The state gave us $40,000, but they did not mandate it would go on top of the wages the county already paid. They said it would subsidize their salary.”

Watson then told council members he would not return in 2021 at his previous salary. He cautioned them that it will be difficult to find a licensed engineer who will work for that amount, and he referenced a few counties nearby that are advertising for licensed engineers starting at $95,000. Watson currently works for about $80,000 annually.

“So for you to think you’re going to get another licensed, professional engineer to come to Jay County, great. You’re kidding yourself, but that’s fine,” he said.

Houchins said they may find they made a mistake, but for now, this is the direction the personnel meeting (and commissioners in an executive session) agreed on.

“All I hear is stressed in this county — we need to keep our people in this county, keep our professionals in this county,” Watson said. “Well, right now there’s no demand for professional engineers.”

He accused Champ and Houchins of already having their minds made up about this decision going into the personnel meeting. Champ said he took offense to that comment and that he approached the decision with an open mind. He referenced the county-wide wage study.

Newton interjected that Champ seems to think the county is “just throwing money away” by giving it to Watson, who she stated is a valuable employee. “That’s a rude comment,” she told Champ.

After discussion, the room sat quiet for a few seconds. Then Houchins proposed the vote, and Champ seconded the motion.

Council voted 4-3 in favor of rescinding the previously approved raise, with members Amy Barrett, Gary Theurer and Newton dissenting. Council members Faron Parr, Mike Rockwell, Champ and Houchins voted in favor.

Also Tuesday, a group of about 25 attended the meeting to address comments on Facebook by Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau employee Blake Watson and Jay County Development Corporation director of community development Ami Huffman regarding the Oct. 25 “American Patriots Day” event. Champ told the crowd that council does not have executive oversight of either organization. He and Houchins both shared their own disapproval of the comments and that the executive boards of each organization are in charge of any action that might be taken. Council referenced JCDC director Travis Richards, who was in attendance.

“Who’s on the exec board, Travis?” Rachel Price asked aloud. Commissioner Chuck Huffman referenced a few board members.

Several residents other stood and shared their disapproval of the comments made by Huffman and Blake Watson. Champ said this shouldn’t divide the county.

“We have to feel the love, too,” Price responded. “Not the negative comments and …”

“I’ll buy you a beer,” Champ interjected. He then reinstated he was not pleased with the comments either, but it’s not the council’s responsibility to take action.

Price said she and others did not want this swept under the rug, and council members assured her it would not go unnoticed.

Council members made several additional appropriations: $19,500 from the county general for the sheriff’s office phone bills, office supplies and gas, oil and lube expenses ($13,000) as well as for surveyor’s office labor ($2,500) and circuit court transcripts ($4,000); $6,318 from the clerk perpetuation fund for updated desks at the clerk’s office; $12,000 from the rainy day fund for COVID-19 pay; $260.01 from the sex and violent offender administration for computer equipment; $5,000 for pauper counsel at the public defender’s office; $9,000 for the 911 equipment lease; $2,500 for transcripts and records at the prosecutor’s office; $1,800 for activities at the retirement center; $2,000 from a Portland Foundation grant to the Jay Emergency Medical Services; $500 for veteran functions from donations; three separate amounts from the Economic Development Wind Farm funds to the historical society ($16,800), Jay Community Center ($39,703) and Jay County Fairgrounds ($45,000); $8,205 for custodian wages and COVID-19 pay.

It also approved the following transfers: $2,000 for surveyor’s office labor, $650 for coroner’s office deputy wages, $2,000 for overtime courthouse expenses, $5,000 for retirement center part-time wages and $4,000 for retirement center meals; approved a salary ordinance amendment for the courthouse and Jay County Jail custodian as required by law; approved a $62,700 health plan reviewed by commissioners for county employees.