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Emmons County commissioners prioritize implementing a grade‑and‑step pay system over a one‑time cost‑of‑living increase
Summary
Commissioners and staff agreed to pursue a countywide step‑and‑grade pay system as the primary long‑term goal and asked staff to produce preliminary budget scenarios outlining graded step implementation and alternate COLA scenarios; health insurance and longevity payments were discussed as complicating factors.
Emmons County commissioners spent substantial time reviewing department budgets and debated whether to adopt a across‑the‑board cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) or to implement a grade‑and‑step pay system for county employees.
Staff said a grade‑and‑step system would create a consistent pay structure across departments and allow supervisors limited discretion to move employees within steps for experience or performance. Commissioners and department heads generally endorsed the grade‑and‑step approach as a longer‑term solution and asked staff to develop a step‑and‑grade proposal and to produce two preliminary budget versions: one that implements grade‑and‑step and one that shows a COLA scenario, so the board can compare costs before final adoption.
Why it matters: personnel costs are a major portion of the county budget. Commissioners noted that health‑insurance premiums are expected to rise (staff mentioned a projected increase in the county’s insurance contribution), and longevity and prior adjustments complicate simple percent‑based COLA calculations. Commissioners said implementing a grade‑and‑step structure now would clarify long‑term salary expectations and reduce ad hoc adjustments.
Budget items and clarifications raised in the meeting included: - Health insurance: staff referenced an expected increase in insurance costs (figures discussed in the meeting included a potential 7.5 percent rise). Commissioners noted employees who do not take county insurance are common, but overall insurance increases affect the budget. - Elections: staff said election costs exceed $30,000 annually. - Courthouse upkeep: staff recommended a $50,000 contingency line for building repairs and maintenance. - Community‑service contract: the county pays a vendor $1,200 per quarter for community‑service supervision.
Next steps: staff will prepare two preliminary budget scenarios (graded step implementation and a COLA alternative), meet with department heads to finalize step placements, and return to the board with numbers in August and September. Commissioners agreed that if the grade‑and‑step proposal proves feasible, it should take precedence over a one‑time COLA. If necessary, limited COLA adjustments could follow after step‑and‑grade implementation.
