09-29-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

m Commission Minutes--September 29, 1997 1720 Weed and Vector Control Mrs. Quick discussed the Weed and Vector Control budgets further with Keith Berndt, County Engineer, and they agreed on a reduction in those budgets. MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to reduce the 1998 Weed and Vector Control budgets by $26,800. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. Jail Mr. Meyer suggested deleting $2,400 from travel costs in the jail budget because a trip planned for the jail chaplain will be paid from the jail commissary fund. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to delete $2,400 from the travel and per diem line item in the jail budget. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. EMPLOYEE SALARIES, Mid-point ceiling removed; 3% cost of living adjustment approved Commissioners discussed the five proposed salary plans as outlined in a letter by County Auditor, Michael Montplaisir, dated September 19, 1997, and the pros and cons of each plan. Mr. Koenig favored plan #5 which he believes benefits the more experienced and long-term employees. This plan calls for placing employees on the pay scale at their current step number and suspending step increases for 1998, reinstituting them in 1999 on each employee's anniversary date, based upon performance review. There was some concern about suspending performance appraisals for a year, and Mr. Montplaisir believes plan #5 is a short-term solution to the salary structure. Mrs. Schneider said the cost of living adjustment is lower in plan #5. Where it appears an inequity may exist within departments, Mr. Montplaisir said department heads could be given authority or the ability to delay or eliminate steps as necessary where it may create an inequity within their department, however, Mr. Koenig said this could bring office politics into play. A majority of commissioners were inclined to follow plan #2, which was the recommendation of the paid consultant, Fox Lawson and Associates, as well as the plan supported by Cass County department heads. It appears average employee increases would amount to 6.3% under plan #2. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Koenig seconded to eliminate the mid- point in the current pay scale and adopt the proposed Fox Lawson pay scale starting with Step 1, rather than base. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mrs. Quick seconded to approve cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3% for county employees in 1998. Discussion: Mr. Wieland asked if the COLA would be in addition to a step increase. Mrs. Schneider said 3% would be the minimum increase for any employee. Mr. Montplaisir said the 3% increase would be effective January 1st, and the step increase would be effective on the employee's anniversary date, dependent upon a satisfactory performance review. At the call for the