Council adjusts part‑time wage scale, adds sheriff front‑desk and CDL highway roles to higher pay class

The Dearborn County Council approved an adjustment to the county’s part‑time wage scale on Wednesday that moves the sheriff’s front desk role into a specialized pay class and creates a level‑3 part‑time classification for highway employees who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

The council’s action follows budget‑period discussions about part‑time classifications and pay ranges. Members said they wanted flexibility for departments to hire part‑time staff with the needed skills — for example, CDL‑qualified drivers for snow operations — without constraining managers to a single flat rate.

A commissioner moved to approve the part‑time wage scale change and later amended the motion to add the highway/CDL classification to the level‑3 category; the amendment was accepted and the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the change gives department heads discretion to set pay within the level for specialized part‑time roles and aims to make it easier to recruit qualified seasonal and temporary workers such as CDL drivers, sign crews and grounds workers.

What remains: council members asked supervisors to monitor costs and to revisit changes if they exceed budgeted amounts.