ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION HEARING

Tuesday May 23, 2023

ALL PRESENT:  Scott Twito, County Attorney; Commissioner’s Ostlund, Morse and Jones; Jeff Martin, Clerk and Recorder; Mike Linder, Sheriff; Judge Carter; Oscar Heinrich and Billie Ruff, Citizens; Jen Jones, Finance Director.

Mr. Scott Twito, County Attorney opened the meeting and had everyone introduce themselves.  Mr. Twito read the Compensation Public Hearing Notice into the record.  Ms. Jen Jones, Finance Director handed out spreadsheets with a 5%, 5 ½% and 6% increase. Ms. Jones mentioned that these are in line with CPI and one thing that you will see that is different is longevity has been changed.  The amount has not been changed just the year that you are eligible for longevity has changed from 5 years to 4 years.  Mr. Twito asked Ms. Jones what the current CPI is.  Ms. Jones answered that it is 6.1.  Mr. Oscar Heinrich stated that historically we have never gone above 3% and this is a really big jump.  Ms. Jones stated that the non-union and union employees have all gotten inflationary adjustments that have been above 5%.  Mr. Twito read the last few years wage increase percentages for the Elected Officials into the record.  Ms. Jones stated that the county can budgetarily handle this.  Ms. Jones noted that Ms. Sherry Long will no longer be the Treasurer starting August 1, 2023, and that will take the dollars for the raise down significantly.  Mr. Twito asked if anyone wants to see any other percentages.  Mr. Heinrich would like to see a 3% increase spreadsheet.  Commissioner Jones would also like to look at 3% and not change the longevity component from 5 years to 4 years.  Mr. Twito asked if anyone has questions about the Justice of Peace salaries.  No one had any questions.  Mr. Twito stated that for the next public hearing a spreadsheet with 3% will be provided.  Mr. Twito also asked for a spreadsheet with 5% with longevity for 5 years and a spreadsheet with 3% with longevity for 4 years.  Ms. Ruff would like to see 4%.  Ms. Jones stated that she will do a 3% with 4- and 5-year longevity and a 4% with 4- and 5-year longevity.  Mr. Twito asked Sheriff Linder the timeline of the Sheriff’s Deputy negotiation.  Sheriff Linder answered that we just started.

          Mr. Twito asked for public comments hearing no comments.  Hearing no comments Mr. Heinrich made a MOTION to adjourn the County Compensation Board, Sheriff Linder seconded.  Passed Unanimous.  Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.    

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