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September 5, 2012

County to give 2 percent raises

By Nate Smith Washington Times-Herald

WASHINGTON — County employees will receive at least a 2-percent raise in 2013, and may get a little bit more if approved this morning.

The 2 percent came from the first day of budget adoptions for the Daviess County Council on Tuesday morning. Council members will discuss and vote on an additional bonus this morning.

The discussion for the bonuses stemmed from the fact that a 2-percent raise for most county workers will mean they will get less money than in 2011. This year, county employees received a $600 bonus instead of a percentage raise, but the bonus was not figured on total salary for this year’s budget negotiations.

The discussion of bonuses came at the end of the council’s budget discussions Tuesday.

Hours before, the council unanimously adopted the 2-percent raise. It was not until council member Jo Arthur did some number crunching the discrepancy was found.

“I hate it if they are getting less money next year than they got this year,” Arthur said.

She then asked for a 2.5-percent raise for all county employees. After some discussion, there was talk about waiting until today to discuss the raises.

Council member Mike Myers proposed the idea of an additional bonus to get the auditor’s office an opportunity to finish budget books for today’s final adoption.

The idea of raising wages more than the 2 percent was mixed, but council members were willing to think on it.

“Our wages are on the up brand than what most counties get,” council member Mike Sprinkle said.

Sprinkle later elaborated that it is tough keeping the county’s budget from getting larger, but he wanted to reward the hard work the county’s employees do.

Two weeks ago, many county departments asked for a 3 percent raise. Some even asked as high as a 6-percent raise, but everyone will be held to the 2-percent mark.

Most county department budgets were considered ready for budget approval except for the Sheriff’s Department, which asked for five new employees two weeks ago. Sheriff Jerry Harbstreit sat down with the council Tuesday, and had several ideas that decreased his budget.

The first idea was for two new deputies. Harbstreit said he will increase the department’s reserve program, a move that will increase the number of deputies on roads and reduce overtime, but will not cost the county as much as full-time deputies.

“I think with the help of a couple employees, I think we can enhance the reserve program,” Harbstreit said. “There’s a lot of good folks that will help.”

Reserve deputies receive equipment and uniforms, but work on a volunteer basis. Harbstreit said Knox County uses a lot of reserves in its sheriff’s department, but wants to make sure the reserve deputy’s training is updated regularly. They are mandated to take 40 hours of basic training and attend all in-service training days.

He also wants to train volunteers as dispatchers that want to help the department.

“In retrospect, I think we can wipe out those five people and make it work,” Harbstreit said.

The council also made smaller cuts in requests for camera equipment, vehicles and ammunition.

In a larger jail budget, Harbstreit also made steps to make it smaller by moving dispatcher salaries from the jail to the Enhanced 911 budget. The move, according to figures provided, would save $381,322.

During the discussion, the idea of having a central dispatch center for the entire county was made. Currently, city police and fire have their own dispatchers and the rest of the county dispatches from the sheriff’s department. Harbstreit said there were discussions with the city under former Mayor Larry Haag, but nothing has been discussed since.

“It would be a lot cheaper for us and a lot cheaper for them,” Harbstreit said.

The E-911 funds pay for two dispatchers at the city. Council members advised Harbstreit to get the idea moving again.

“I would like to see you guys work on a plan,” Sprinkle said.

Harbstreit also suggested removing two part-time salaries from the jail’s R.A.R.E. program, but leave the full-time employee. The move will not eliminate the R.A.R.E. program, something Harbstreit and the council want to keep going. Volunteers have said they would help with the program and a larger faith-based program being implemented in the jail.

“That’s a good program,” Council member Dave Smith said. “I’d hate to see it go away.”

“It won’t go away because I won’t let it go away,” Harbstreit said.

The jail’s commander and assistant are leaving the jail, Harbstreit said. Pat Dant is retiring and his assistant, Kevin Potts, has left the department. Harbstreit has recommended two to fill their positions, but asked the council the combined salaries of Dant and Potts be split equally between the commanders.

The two would be co-jail administrators and split the duties equally, Harbstreit said. He also proposed moving key personnel to create budget room.

The council approved the changes and will move to final budget adoption today. The council will also look at budgets from all other taxing entities in the county today and will give non-binding recommendations.

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