Salaries for the next four years for the Shawano County clerk, treasurer and register of deeds were established at the Shawano County Board meeting March 27.
Each position will see a 6% pay increase in 2025 and a 2.5% increase in each of the next three years.
State law requires the board set the salaries prior to the earliest time for filing nomination papers for the county elective offices, which is April 15.
The wages were approved without comment by the supervisors, but discussion wasn’t as muted at the executive committee meeting a week earlier, March 20.
Register of Deeds Amy Dillenburg discussed her 2024 salary compared to her 2023 numbers.
“Basically, in one month, I take home $69.92 more than I did the previous year,” she said. “I don’t have overtime, and my rent went up $100 a month.”
She noted that she and others worked through the COVID pandemic in the office, because their work could not be done at home.
“Our offices are small, so when our staff is gone, we have to be there. We have to know all aspects of it, and the responsibilities on a state level and a county level,” Dillenburg said. “I really think that compensation should be enough where a person can afford to rent an apartment and possibly have a vehicle payment. From where I see it, that isn’t a reality for me.”
In 2025, the clerk, treasurer and register of deeds will each be paid $72,904.68, which represents a 6% increase from 2024. The pay in 2026 will be $74,727.30; in 2027, it will be $76,595.48; and in 2028, the salaries will be $78,510.37.
Administrative Coordinator Jim Davel explained how the new salaries were developed.
“I looked at multiple counties, compared relatively like size with us. The reason there’s not anything for ’24 is because the board had previously approved in the last resolution for these three positions a 3% raise that was put into effect for this year,” he said.
“The 6% raise … those positions are somewhat under when you look at the comparisons from the other counties. The 6% was also … similar to what we have done for the rest of the county employees. And then if you look at the subsequent years … the reason with the 2.5 was that when you calculate them out, it keeps them pretty much in pace with the other positions.”
He said that in his mind, the positions provided good salaries, benefits and time off.
County Clerk Kara Skarlupka said the positions don’t qualify for paid time off like other jobs.
“They don’t get PTO, but they get paid for being there, whether they are there or not,” County Board Chairman Tom Kautza said.
A 12-year county employee, Skarlupka compared the standard PTO accrual rate of county employees to what she would earn if PTO was part of the job description.
“I would be taking at least seven and a half weeks off,” she said. “So, you can say that I have the availability, but do I take it? Am I in my office every day at 8 o’clock, 7 o’clock? Yes, I am. Am I there til 4:30, barring appointments? Yes, I’m here. Flip side, I understand that an elected official, and we’ve had them in the past, that don’t follow that, but I don’t feel I should be subjected to a past official.”
Supervisor Kathy Luebke said it’s better to compare the positions to those in similar size counties as opposed to other employees in Shawano County. She also noted any decision made is about the position and not about the person holding the post.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Categories
