Firm will handle salary analysis

It’s time to look at some updated numbers.

Jay County Council agreed Wednesday to move forward with consulting firm Waggoner, Irwin, Scheele and Associates conducting a new salary analysis on county employees.

The process involves comparing employees’ wages to similar jobs in other counties and providing the county with salary ranges to be used while considering raises during the budgeting process.

In recent years, Jay County employees have seen various raises across departments in an effort to make salaries comparable to neighboring counties. The county last conducted a salary analysis in 2023 to be used in 2024. 

Answering a question from council vice president Cindy Bracy, Franks said the county typically conducts a salary analysis every three to four years. However, wages for county employees have already made it to the midpoint – the median salary suggestions made in the last analysis. Franks estimated the overall cost for the study will be around $10,000.

Franks shared an initial proposition from Waggoner, Irwin, Scheele and Associates with council in November. She said Wednesday the company won’t be able to begin the study until August.

 Addressing a comment made by council member Harold Towell in support of the measure, Franks noted salary analyses done by outside companies also serve as protection in case of a lawsuit regarding salaries.

Council agreed to move forward with the process.

Also Wednesday, council (Bryan Alexander and Harold Towell opposing) made a $3,391.88 additional appropriation for design firm Rundell Ernstberger and Associates’ study and design work related to developing the county’s 68 acres on the western edge of Portland.

Council originally looked at the full remaining amount budgeted for the contract ($243,852.57) listed on the agenda for approval.

Council president Matt Minnich noted the county has already signed a contract not to exceed $400,000 with the company and suggested approving the full amount. Other council members questioned that recommendation, noting the contract is paid in billable hours and saying they’d like to keep tabs on the company’s progress.

Questions arose about the City of Portland’s lack of involvement in the project, with council member Bryan Alexander saying the topic hasn’t been brought to Portland. Council member Mike Brewster said Portland representatives could have attended Jay County meetings related to the project. (In August, Rundell Ernstberger and Associates representative Cecil Penland and consultant Ed Curtin shared a presentation of the proposed project with the city council. No request for funds has been made to Portland City Council for the project.)

Council also agreed to meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 in joint session with Jay County Commissioners ahead of council’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Franks pointed to new council members Mike Brewster and Bryan Alexander and new commissioners Doug Horn and Duane Monroe, who took office in January. She and county attorney Wes Schemenaur suggested undergoing a financial update with Jason Semler of consulting firm Baker Tilly in a joint session. (Franks shared a study completed by Semler in August 2023 related to financing options for the county.)

Schemenaur noted Semler has provided financial updates to the county for years. He referenced questions from officials regarding the county’s different revenue sources. He also noted potential changes regarding property taxes that could be made during Indiana General Assembly’s legislative session — a few council members expressed concern about hearing from Semler prior to the end of the legislative session — but still suggested Semler meet with county officials next month to share a general overview of the county’s finances.

In other business, council members Towell, Alexander, Matt Minnich, Cindy Bracy, Randy May, Mike Brewster and Faron Parr:

•Made a $1 million additional appropriation (Alexander opposing) for professional services related to the county’s owner-occupied rehabilitation program. The grant dollars, awarded by Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for participating in its Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, must be formally appropriated before the county makes payments using the funds, explained auditor Emily Franks.

•Made the following other additional appropriations: $326,521 in ARPA dollars for purchasing and implementing Low Associates’ Windows Payroll software for Jay County Auditor’s Office and Jay County Treasurer’s Office and one year of maintenance; $264,626 in ARPA dollars for buying body and vehicle cameras for Jay County Sheriff’s Office, with sheriff Ray Newton pointing out the equipment has been delivered and hopes are to begin installation and training on the cameras at the beginning of February; $244,189.80 in ARPA dollars for replacing the bridge on county road 600 West north of Indiana 26 with a culvert; and $7,000 for an invoice from Ritter Strategic Services for its work in the study addressing emergency responder radio equipment. 

•Re-appointed Minnich as president and Bracy as vice president.

•Made various council appointments to oversee county departments and act as representatives on county boards.

•Re-appointed Randy Geesaman and Kelly Herman to one-year terms on Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

•OK’d a request from Jay County Clerk Missy Elliott to use an additional cash drawer in her office, with Elliott explaining she would like to be able to help with customers as needed. (Elliott has worked in the office for years and took over in January as clerk.)

•Approved $72,716.62 in encumbrances from 2024 to 2025.

•Heard Bracy thank Newton for sharing extra food supplies recently from Jay County Jail’s new food service with Jay County Country Living.