PPE funding cut, health department on hold
By HOLLY GASKILL
A proposed 2024 budget was approved by the Wells County Council Wednesday night, including several new positions and a slight raise for employees.
The council previously discussed completely foregoing employee raises due to 2023’s seven percent increase and the mid-year implementation of the pay matrix, which gave a 0.5 percent raise for every year of employment. This pay matrix will not take effect for elected officials until 2024.
However, the council’s disposition shifted when Highway Department Supervisor Shawn Bonar asked if the Sheriff’s Department had received any raises after its matrix was introduced in 2019. Auditor Lisa McCormick confirmed that the Sheriff’s Department had received a $3,200 increase for deputies and $2,500 for jail staff.
“Best I can do is one percent to avoid zero,” said Council member Brandon Harnish. He continued to say that the effect of the pay matrix gave a four percent average increase. Surveyor Jarrod Hahn noted because of the timing, it was a two percent raise for this year.
Council member Steve Huggins responded, “Alright, do we have a council meeting or do we want to talk to this crowd?”
A one percent raise was ultimately approved 7-0 for matrix employees. Non-matrix employees, like part-time staff, were allotted a 3.5 percent raise.
The council continued with unanimous approval of motions until reviewing the budget requests for Emergency Management. Director Rick Velasquez had requested $5,000 for personal protective equipment, a 150 percent increase from last year, which the council had previously decided to cut to $1,000. There were no PPE costs in 2022.
However, Harnish stated he wanted to completely cut the line item as a “symbolic move.” He added, “The rationale here is, (there’s) a lot of chatter right now about masks coming back … I don’t want our county to have any part in that.”
In response, Council member Scott Elzey clarified that PPE doesn’t only refer to masks. “That could mean any personal protective equipment — gloves, boots, wipes, sanitizing, anything to do with (Velasquez’s) job to protect the public,” Elzey said. “I don’t disagree with you. I’m saying it’s more than masks.”
Harnish then pointed out the department’s budget also includes $1,000 for “emergency contingency,” which could be used for PPE if necessary.
Eliminating PPE funds was approved 5-2; council members Harnish, Seth Whicker, Todd Mahnensmith, Brian Lambert, and Vicki Andrews were in favor, and Huggins and Elzey were opposed.
Alongside this, the council did not vote on approving a raise for the health officer within the Health Department. Budget requests included a 26.95 percent raise for the role, increasing compensation from $19,693 to $25,000.
“I would like to not do anything with the Health Department on that front until we get it straightened out with what’s all going on there,” Whicker said. “So, I would feel better — we can always do an additional down the road if we find that we do need to increase the health officer.”
For requested new positions, the council approved an equipment operator in the Highway Department, a part-time investigator for the prosecutor’s office, and an Assistant Chief of Probation officer in the Circuit Court. The council did not approve two new employees for the Wells County Jail and delayed action regarding a full-time courthouse security position.
A vote was not taken regarding the public information officer position. The part-time position was added during the last budget cycle, and several council members questioned its efficacy during initial hearings this year.
“Did we settle on the PIO?” asked Huggins. Whicker responded, “Well, we kind of did by leaving it in the budget. So it’s left in the budget right now.”
The council will hold a public hearing for the proposed 2024 budget at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5.
holly@news-banner.com
