County unofficially adopts salary matrix for employees

After several years of discussion, the county commissioners have made use of a pay scale matrix developed by elected officials to scrutinize wage increases for this year’s budget. This met with a surprised but positive reaction during last week’s budget hearing.

It became evident that the matrix had been used when County Attorney Joe Baron questioned a salary increase built into the budget for one employee.

“It doesn’t even look like that was requested,” he said.

Commissioner Jeanne Whalen responded that the board had spoken with the department head and some of the increase is self-funded. The board also felt that the job role had been misidentified as an assistant deputy when, according to the pay scale matrix, it should be chief deputy.

The person’s job title has been changed, Whalen said, which “fits more with what she’s doing”. She confirmed that the criteria of the pay scale matrix had been used in this decision.

A second question from Baron regarding another salary increase sealed the deal.

“What criteria did you use to do that increase other than it was a low paid employee?” Baron asked.

Whalen responded that the commissioners had used the salary schedule that elected officials keep giving them, in which county salaries are compared with the same job roles in the surrounding area.

It’s the one you guys keep giving us and saying we’re not following it, Whalen said. Well, now the board is following it, and this year, she said, it was used to take a look at the roles with the lowest wage.

Baron asked for confirmation that the commissioners are adopting the criteria that the elected officials proposed. Whalen responded in the affirmative.

“We’re adopting it – or working toward it,” agreed Commissioner Kelly Dennis.

Commissioner Fred Devish commented that the issue of salaries has been in flux for four or five years.

“My intent is to kind of level the playing field,” he said, by looking at positions rather than people.

Baron asked if the commissioners intend to look at other employee wages next year, as this go-around was focused on the folks at the bottom.

“We can,” said Whalen.

The salary matrix was first presented to the commissioners in 2018 after elected officials had worked together to come up with a system they believed would better reward staff members on a performance basis. Using the Campbell County model as a guide, the matrix categorizes employees by office and job description, with levels recognizing their experience in the job, education and other factors.

For each level, the matrix sets a range of salaries per hour. It includes a minimum hourly wage as a starting salary, a midpoint and a maximum, with employees expected to meet certain criteria in order to jump to the next level.

Baron stated as the hearing came to a close that the matrix will be worked on and finalized in time for next year’s budget.