Commission approves personnel step increases for recent hires after split vote; commissioners debate policy and budget impacts
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Summary
Pennington County commissioners approved routine step increases for two recent HR office hires under the county’s personnel policy, after a 3–2 roll-call vote that followed extended debate about early promotions, budgeting and consistent countywide practice.
A three-to-two majority of the Pennington County Board of Commissioners on June 17 approved personnel step increases for two recently hired human-resources positions, a routine action under the county’s personnel policy that drew sharp debate about fairness and budgeting.
Commissioners approved the consent-agenda item removing the personnel actions from the consent calendar and then voting to adopt them. The motion passed 3–2 (Ayes: Commissioners Durden, Hadcock and Chair Wyvenbach; Noes: Commissioners Drews and Rossknecht).
Carol Bancroft, Pennington County HR director, told commissioners the increases were being requested under the county policy that allows step adjustments during the first 12 months of employment. “Both of those are close to their one year, which the policy states that within their first year, first 12 months, that there can be an increase in steps,” Bancroft said. She said the policy allows employees to move up to 10 steps and that the two individuals in question were well below that limit.
Commissioner Drews questioned whether it was too soon to give substantial step increases, noting one change proposed for the marketing manager would amount to “over $3,200 increase in salary, and that doesn’t include the normal increase.” Drews and Commissioner Rossknecht both urged review of the policy’s discretion to permit large moves for new hires, and asked for a more uniform, budget‑driven approach to step increases.
Commissioner Hadcock said the practice has been applied consistently across departments and defended the department heads’ decision to use the policy now; Hadcock also offered to consider a future policy change to create uniform limits. Bancroft said the two employees were within policy limits and that one was at step five and the other at step three of the job progression.
After discussion, the board approved the requested personnel actions by roll call. The HR director said staff will follow the same policy process in future personnel reports and that commissioners who want a policy change can forward specific edits through the HR office for a future agenda.
No further motions were made to change the county personnel policy at this meeting; commissioners directed staff to include stepped-pay practices and clearer hire-date information in future personnel reports so the board can evaluate budgetary implications during the next budget cycle.
