County Board adopts employee pay raises

The Oconto County Board granted raises for 82 county employees Thursday. Employees who successfully passed an evaluation and were eligible for a step increase on the wage schedule will earn an average of 2.7 percent more in pay and benefits, effective Dec. 28. The estimated cost to the county is $112,000, which will be included in the 2015 budget. Another 140 employees were ineligible for raises because of their placement on the wage schedule. Of these 140, six did not successfully pass their evaluation. The board also approved a nonunion wage schedule for part-time employees, covering 20 different positions, such as deputy medical examiner, bailiff and court reporter. A reorganizational plan for the highway department was adopted, reducing the number of positions from 27 to 15 and creating a promotion step schedule. The revised levels for wages and benefits for the highway department will take effect Dec. 28 and will cost the county an additional $22,470.