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Wright County sets new starting wage for communications staff at $23.50; two employees authorized for immediate raises
Summary
The Board approved a new starting wage for the communications (dispatch) position and authorized two existing employees to receive specified pay increases on July 1 in lieu of the 2% general raise; the change was presented as necessary to remain competitive with neighboring counties.
The Wright County Board of Supervisors voted to set the starting wage for communications staff at $23.50 an hour, adopt a wage scale up to $29 an hour for experienced hires, and authorized two existing communications employees to receive pay increases effective July 1 in place of the 2% general wage increase other county employees will receive.
Stephen Coleman, communications director, presented the proposal and said surrounding counties’ starting wages range from about $22 to $30 per hour; he reported that the average Iowa dispatcher starting wage was about $24 per hour. Coleman told the board the county’s proposed scale would run from $23.50 to $29 and that raising the starting wage would require modest budget adjustments; staff estimated the direct fiscal impact for the two identified employees at $4,210.28 for fiscal year 2026 and said the change could be absorbed in the fiscal-year budget.
Board members debated whether to make the new rate an immediate flat starting wage or a $22.50 start with 50¢ increases at six months and 12 months. Coleman said the six-month increment is already the communications probation period per the handbook. One unidentified county officer urged paying more to attract competent candidates, saying, “I want the most competent person in that seat.”
After discussion, a supervisor moved to set the starting wage at $23.50 and authorize the two employees the director designated to receive specific increases on July 1 (one to $24.00 and one to $24.50) in lieu of the countywide 2% increase. The motion passed with all supervisors voting “aye.” Coleman also said the newly hired dispatcher who began at $21.00 would remain at that rate for now and would be eligible for the standard 2% increase.
The board asked staff to prepare written wage-scale guidance for future hires so that exceptions for experienced candidates can be approved case-by-case and to document the affected employees in the minutes.
