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Council keeps building commissioner—s pay at higher level after debate over funding and budget pressure
Summary
Building Commissioner Mike Paul asked the LaPorte County Council to maintain his salary at roughly $80,000 citing added duties (floodplain permitting). After questioning about allowable funding sources and the county—s budget gap, the council approved a motion to keep his pay at about $81,002.50 and asked staff to confirm funding and report performance.
Building Commissioner Mike Paul told the LaPorte County Council on Nov. 24 that his role has expanded substantially in recent years and that state changes (including a floodplain-related bill passed in June) impose added responsibilities and training requirements on the local office.
Paul provided a packet with a salary study, previous and revised job descriptions, a personnel committee report and an outline of how duties have changed. He said the initial bump to roughly $80,000 had been tied to split duties that have since dissolved and asked the council not to let his pay revert to $65,227. Paul said department-generated fees and proposed efficiencies (including automation) would help cover increased costs and volunteered to relinquish the higher salary if revenue or performance fell short.
Council members pressed for clarity on funding sources. The auditor said contractor-registration fees flow to a nonreverting fund and that taking salary directly from that account raises legal questions; counsel and the auditor would need to confirm whether the nonreverting fund could be used directly for payroll or whether transfers and reclassifications would be required. Several councilmembers expressed concern about raising salaries while the county faces a reported reduction in property-tax levy and a projected general-fund shortfall.
After debate, a motion to maintain the building commissioner—s pay at approximately $81,002.50 passed. Council members asked the building department to work with the auditor to confirm permitted funding sources and to return with appropriation language if needed. The council also requested performance-based updates tied to fee-generation and modernization efforts.
(Ending) The council approved the motion to maintain the pay level and directed staff to bring a funding plan and any necessary appropriation language back to the December meeting.
