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Wells County Council approves new highway job classifications and updated pay matrix in 5-1 vote
Summary
The council approved two new highway job classifications and a revised pay matrix effective Feb. 7, 2026, after a 5-1 vote; Councilor Brandon Harnish opposed changing the salary ordinance mid-year.
The Wells County Council voted Feb. 3, 2026, to approve two new highway job classifications and an updated pay matrix, effective Feb. 7, 2026, following debate about changing pay rules outside the budget cycle.
Matt Witt, representing the highway department, presented job descriptions for a lead mechanic and two crew-leader positions and supplied a proposed pay matrix that would incorporate the new classifications. Witt told the council the crew leader roles would be filled by existing employees and the lead mechanic would be a new hire to replace a current mechanic position.
Councilor Brandon Harnish questioned making mid-year changes to the current salary ordinance and said he preferred to delay pay-structure changes until the formal budget meetings. Despite that objection, Todd Mahnensmith moved and Brian Lambert seconded to approve the job descriptions and updated pay matrix. The motion passed 5-1, with Harnish recorded as the lone dissenting vote.
The pay-matrix change is set to take effect Feb. 7, 2026; councilors did not record any amendments to the descriptions or matrix during the motion. The council did not provide a breakdown of projected payroll cost changes at the meeting.
