County board approves pay raises

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL
Commercial-News

DANVILLE May 14, 2008 11:00 am

— Concerns about a pay raise for several officeholders wasn’t enough to derail the proposal at Tuesday’s county board meeting.
The issue topped the agenda for Tuesday’s monthly meeting, as the board voted 17-7 to approve the measure. The salaries include the offices of circuit clerk, recorder, coroner and auditor.
Board members raised issues about the increase, including comparing it to the plan approved two years ago for the remaining officeholders. The board decided upon just two years of 3 percent raises for officeholders up for election in 2006.
Bruce Stark of District 9 said the pay raise leaves the officeholders ahead of the 2006 group — and issue that must be ad-dressed in the future. District 3’s Steve Fourez raised the same concern, questioning what the board will do if county funds are tight in two years when the 2006 group is up for a salary increase.
Finance committee chairman Bill Donahue said officials have a better picture of the budget situation two years ago, including the recent achievement of not raising taxes.
The proposal already approved by two committees sets the salaries — each at $52,600 currently — to increase to $59,200 by the year 2011-12. The increases result in $6,400 each of the first two years and $6,800 the final two years.
“We’re not talking big, big money here,” said County Board Chairman Jim McMahon.
Under Illinois statute, the salaries must be set 180 days prior to the Nov. 4 election.
The state’s attorney’s office is set by the state at $155,583. McMahon did not recommend a salary hike for his position, leaving it at $61,700.
District 1 board member Gary Weinard questioned whether a different arrangement could be set up in the future, basing the salaries on merit rather than simple increases.
“This eventually compounds itself into pretty substantial numbers,” he told board members.
Donahue noted the raises are comparable to cost of living increases and are thought out rather than automatically awarded.
He added a study could be put together during the next two years to determine the best way to handle the different salary levels among officeholder groups.
Also at Tuesday’s board meeting:
-- Board members unanimously approved appointment of assistant highway engineer Doug Staske as the new county high-way engineer for a six-year term.
Staske has worked for the county the last three years under current highway engineer Bob Andrews.
Andrews announced in April that he would be retiring from the post he has held for the last 13 years. His last day is June 15.
Board members voted to approve his salary for the position at $111,250, including insurance and travel expenses. The state pays half of the salary for the position.
-- A budget amendment of $250,000 was approved for repairs on the roof of the courthouse annex, 6 N. Vermilion St.
The lowest bid — offered by a Mattoon company — was one of three received for the project. No local companies vied for the project.
The roof, considered several years past its replacement point, will be removed and replaced.