Twenty-one Oconto County employees won their appeals for better compensation, successfully challenging a pay plan adopted by the County Board in November.
The plan, which took effect Dec. 29, was recommended by Madison-based Carlson-Dettmann Consulting following an employee classification/compensation study. The adjustment took effect March 23.
Of the 21, 19 were granted in the first round of appeals coordinated by Carlson-Dettmann, and two were approved in the second round by the Personnel and Wages Committee. Seventy-three county employees — triple the number anticipated — appealed their compensation. As a result of the successful appeals, the county will spend an additional $9,700 in 2014.
County officials set aside $250,000 in the 2014 budget to cover the compensation increases resulting from the study. With Thursday’s appeals, the total impact for 2014 was calculated at $249,730.
“Even though we had quite a few appeals, I think the process went well, and the employees are happy with it,” Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann said.
The appeals were approved Thursday by the County Board, bringing the appeal process to a close.
Carlson-Dettmann will continue to work with the county to determine compensation if a job description changes significantly.
The county contracted with the consultant to set compensation for its 250 employees. Previously, the county bargained with employee unions, but with the passage of Act 10 in 2011, the bargaining rights of public sector unions were restricted, with the exception of protective service employees.
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