County moves two highway positions into MVH funding to preserve raises; council trims other positions

Delaware County commissioners approved moving two highway positions to the motor-vehicle-highway (MVH) fund so the county can absorb 6% pay increases for certain highway and bridge staff, and discussed eliminating several vacant positions to balance the change.

Why it matters: Funding decisions that shift payroll between county funds affect where salary and benefit costs are charged and how the county can maintain requested raises without increasing the county general fund burden.

The board discussed a staff proposal to move the garage foreman position (employee ID cited in the transcript) and an office assistant position from shared funding into full MVH funding. Staff said moving those two positions — together accounting for roughly $50,138 in salaries — would more than cover the proposed 6% raises for CuneBridge (highway/bridge) employees when combined with other reductions.

County highway leadership reported eliminating four unfilled positions (employee IDs listed in the department roster during the hearing) as part of the balancing plan. Commissioners praised the highway team for finding head-count reductions and operational efficiencies; one commissioner noted the department had already reduced head count substantially and commended staff for stepping up to cover responsibilities.

Board members discussed whether a 6% raise was high (one said they had seen 4% elsewhere) but ultimately indicated support for the requested adjustments while noting the changes would require careful monitoring of benefits and payroll accounting.

No formal ordinance or personnel action was adopted on the record; staff were authorized to make the described budget edits and to return with updated totals to be incorporated into the 2026 budget draft.

Looking ahead: Staff will finalize fund transfers, update payroll lines (including FICA and PERF implications), and present final numbers when the board reconvenes.