Shawano County approves 1.5% wage increase

The Shawano County Board of Supervisors approved a 1.5% wage increase for non-union, full-time county employees during its March 23 meeting.

Chairman Tom Kautza said that Shawano County lost ground in relation to wage increases, compared to surrounding counties.

“I believe some around us gave 2-2.5(%) and in some cases a 3% increase,” said Kautza.

He added that it appears that the county will have money left over from its budget.

“Our employees did save over $52,000 just by taking a higher-deductible heath plan, and I always say that if they are saving the money, we should be rewarding them with some of the money that we are saving,” said Kautza. “That will help with morale and that will get people thinking more.”

Supervisor Kathy Luebke said the county should increase wages for county employees because they are a valuable asset to the county.

“If we are not paying them and they go elsewhere, we are going to be in trouble,” said Luebke.

Supervisor Joe Miller said employees would be getting different raises based off of their salary.

“With a $20 an hour salary, 1.5% would equate to 30 cents — peanuts,” said Miller. “I strongly respect fiscal conservancy, but it looks like fiscal conservancy got us into a predicament that we have been in for a while.”

Supervisor Deb Noffke elaborated on Miller’s point.

“Part of the concern is that we don’t have everyone at $20 a hour,” said Noffke. “We have a wage range that goes up to $50 an hour. The percentage for the lower-paid worker-bee is not as much as an incentive. I think that is where we are having a problem filling jobs — in the lower end. 1.5% of $20 is different than 1.5% of $50.”

Supervisor Jerry Erdmann said that Shawano County being conservative has helped the county board.

“The issue that I see it has been going on for years,” said Erdmann. “Our issue is the levy limits that the state puts on us. They basically cap us, because if our health insurance goes up, what we can legally raise — how can you give an increase in salary? With our staff taking options and cutting down the cost of the health insurance, lets reward them for saving.”

Supervisor Arlyn Tober asked if that 1.5% is going to be above what the county budgeted for to which Kautza replied it would.

“This is added on to that, then I can support that, because it should be raised up,” said Tober.

Supervisor Kevin Conradt said that the county should support this.

“It will catch us up a little bit, but won’t catch us up totally,” said Conradt. “We have to start somewhere, I understand Deb’s concern with every raise we give, we have to come up with next year, but we will find it.”

Supervisor Sandy Steinke said that employees who have worked at the county longer will get larger increases.

“The thing that you have to remember is someone who is at $30 an hour compared to someone who is at $15, would have been here 30 years, so they are going to get a little more raise,” said Steinke. “That person at $15, if they stay here, will be at that rate, hopefully.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com