A new compensation plan has been approved for Mower County employees.

Wednesday, April 05, 2000

A new compensation plan has been approved for Mower County employees.

It will be effective April 24 and calls for a 7.2 percent across-the-board pay hike.

The cost to the county to implement the plan will be an estimated $515,000.

"The personnel committee discussed making it retroactive," said Ray Tucker, Second District Mower County commissioner and chairman of the county board. "One or two individuals may qualify for retroactive pay increases, but these are isolated cases and the committee decided to recommend making it effective April 24."

With a 4 percent increase in January, county employees will see their wages increase by a total of 11 percent. The county’s payroll is near $1 million annually.

The county board members approved the personnel committee’s recommendation to adjust the compensation schedule at Tuesday’s meeting. It was a 5-0 decision to approve.

"It’s good for them," Tucker said. "They actually were within the scope of the comparable worth guidelines before, but this moves Mower County upwards on the pay schedule.

"We’re over 100 percent in compliance with the pay equity guidelines. In fact, with both the 4 percent and the 7.2 percent increases happening, we may be a tad strong.

"They should be extremely pleased with the county’s effort to adjust the compensation schedule," Tucker said.

Also at Tuesday’s county board meeting, the commissioners approved the personnel committee’s recommendation to adopt a job-rating appeal policy that ties in with the new compensation plan.

In addition, a term life insurance plan was approved for non-union employees only.

Tuesday’s action conclude a nearly 18-month-long process to review the county’s compensation schedule.

Al Cordes, the county’s human resource director, supported the compensation plan adjustments, he said, because it will help retain valuable employees and attract new workers.

Cindy Thomas, vice president for Local 9’s bargaining unit of courthouse, planning and zoning, highway department and other county departments, was hopeful the union employees will realize the same package benefits as non-union workers.

"We will be able to benefit all employees and bring wages up to where they should be, but each union has to negotiate their own contract," Thomas said.

Glen Jacobsen, county deputy chief attorney, said: "It’s been a long, drawn-out process and I’m glad to see the county make these adjustments."