By HOLLY GASKILL
The Highway Department’s recently-approved raises appeared to be at risk at the beginning of the Wells County Council’s special session Wednesday night.
However, after discussion among council members, County Engineer Nate Rumschlag and Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar clarified the details of the pay matrix. The council upheld its previous decision, and the next paycheck will reflect the pay matrix raises as planned.
The session was scheduled following the discrepancy between the proposed plan and Auditor Lisa McCormick’s calculations, specifically in how much the salary budget would increase.
In total view of the proposed matrix, the salary budget increases by $49,520.99. This amount accounts for a decrease in budgeted overtime from 12.9 percent of the budget to 5 percent.
Because the second change was unclear, McCormick had calculated a salary budget increase of $109,964.92, solely accounting for employee raises.
Rumschlag stated the previous overtime budget was excessive, and Bonar preferred to use the money to support department staff. Bonar added that the department has gone through significant attrition through the years, but the compensation to longstanding employees had not reflected those county savings.
This statement was met by nods from several individuals among the roughly 15 department employees who attended the meeting.
Ultimately, the increase of $49,520.99 is supported within their total department total budget and will not require additional funds from the county.
“I’ve done everything I can to give the fairest picture of this,” Rumschlag said.
Several council members thanked Rumschlag and Bonar for their time in a confusing and complex process. The unanimous decision was to make no changes to the previously-approved resolution — council members Seth Whicker, Todd Mahnesmith, Scott Elzey, Brandon Harnish and Vicki Andrews were present for the special session; Brian Lambert and Steve Huggins were absent.
“(The change in overtime) does give me a bit of indigestion, but if you’ve said we’ve never really been over 5 percent in 20 years, or whatever the period, I’ve got to put faith in that,” Whicker said.
In response, Bonar said he’s made significant savings in their overall budget and plans to continue doing so. Rumschlag also noted the expended amount will come under the budgeted salary because they are currently operating without two positions.
holly@news-banner.com
