Proposal to Boost Program Assistant Wages Sparks Debate

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposal to reallocate funding to enhance the compensation of a program assistant position. The proposal aims to adjust the salary from $14.09 to $17.00 per hour, bringing the annual wage to approximately $25,000. This adjustment is part of a broader strategy to utilize funds from the group insurance line item to support salary increases without necessitating additional budget contributions.

The plan also includes an increase in the county's contribution towards benefits, raising it from around $4,400 to approximately $6,900. This move is designed to improve the financial support for the position while maintaining the overall budgetary constraints.

Additionally, the proposal outlines the transfer of $10,000 from non-budgetary funds to the operating budget, further supporting the financial adjustments needed for the program assistant role. The discussions reflect a commitment to enhancing employee compensation while carefully managing the county's financial resources.