By HOLLY GASKILL
Wells County has adopted a pay matrix for all employees after a series of discussions with various departments within the county. It will be effective July 1.
The matrix outlines a 0.5 percent annual raise to honor an employee’s length of service until 20 years of service. An elected official will earn 20 percent more than the possible salary for a 20-year employee. Additionally, the council can assess cost of living raises as needed.
Previously, the county compensated all employees in a role equally regardless of whether they had been there for two or 20 years. The only exception is for employees in their first year of service, who receive a $500 deduction to their salary, as outlined by Ordinance 85-2.
The Wells County Sheriff’s Department was the first department to implement a pay matrix in 2019, citing issues with employee retention. The Highway Department adopted a pay matrix earlier this year for similar reasons.
Amidst discussion about the Highway Department’s matrix, the Wells County Council considered whether or not the current system fairly compensated employees.
The new pay matrix proposal, presented Tuesday, was prepared by Assessor Lisa McCormick and Surveyor Jarrod Hahn. It was approved unanimously.
For the county’s current employees — not including the Highway Department or Sheriff’s Department — this increases the budget for wages by $118,216.
Changes with Ordinance 85-2, however, were tabled until County Attorney Ted Storer could review the ordinance. The Sheriff’s Department was previously removed from this ordinance.
holly@news-banner.com
