Waupaca County Board approves 5% employee pay increase, sets supervisor pay and passes 2024-2028 CIP

Waupaca County Board Chair Dick Koeppen convened the county board at 9:01 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2023, where members approved a slate of budget- and personnel-related measures, including a 5% general wage increase for county employees and new compensation levels for county supervisors.

Finance Director Heidi Dombrowski presented the proposed 2024 budget to the full board during the meeting. The board separately adopted the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan, which committee members said will guide capital planning, debt issuance and reserve impacts over the next five years.

On compensation, the board adopted Resolution No. 18 setting the Board Chair's annual salary at $15,000 plus per diem, the Board Vice Chair's salary at $1,200 plus per diem, and per-diem rates at $75 for meetings up to four hours and $110 for meetings over four hours. The resolution passed 22-2. The board also approved Resolution No. 20 setting the Administrative Coordinator annual salary at $6,000 (vote 21-3).

In a separate personnel action, the board approved Resolution No. 21, authorizing a 5% increase to wages and salaries for employees paid under the county wage schedules, effective Jan. 1, 2024. That resolution passed 23-1.

The board approved Resolution No. 22 to add and adjust several positions and FTEs for 2024 in the Department of Human Services, including increases to Nutrition Site Manager hours (two positions), a Nutrition Site Receptionist increase, an Economic Support Specialist, an AODA counselor, and multiple CLTS social worker/case manager positions; the measure passed 24-0.

The board also created a Courthouse Modernization Subcommittee by adopting Resolution No. 23. The subcommittee will include the county board chair and vice chair, the finance committee chair, the public property committee chair and an additional public property committee supervisor, plus staff advisory members such as the maintenance director, human resources director, administrative coordinator, finance director, corporation counsel and the DHHS director or a designee. The resolution estimates a three- to six-year project timeline if fully funded; it passed 24-0.

Land-use and zoning items passed unanimously. The board approved three zoning map amendments recommended by the Planning & Zoning Committee and supported by the affected towns: Z-017-2023 (Town of Lebanon; AWT to RR), Z-018-2023 (Town of Lebanon; AR to RR and RR to AR), and Z-019-2023 (Town of Lind; AE to AR). Each ordinance will take effect according to the filing conditions described in county code and the applicable town approvals.

On procurement, the board voted 24-0 to award the Heavy Rescue/Hazmat Apparatus contracts to Fenton Fire Equipment, Peter Hald Excavating, Ltd., and Total Quality Logistics.

Personnel announcements included Amanda Welch introducing Mary Solheim, who accepted the position of Waupaca County Department of Human Services Director. The board also confirmed the appointment of Elissa Stults as a citizen member of the Board of Health for a three-year term (motion carried 24-0).

Votes at a glance - Resolution No. 16 (Comprehensive Plan Map amendments): Adopted, 24-0. - Resolution No. 17 (2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan): Adopted, 24-0. - Resolution No. 18 (Supervisor/Chair/Vice Chair compensation): Adopted, 22-2. Chair $15,000; Vice Chair $1,200; per diem $75 (<=4 hrs)/$110 (>4 hrs). - Resolution No. 20 (Administrative Coordinator compensation): Adopted, 21-3. Annual salary set at $6,000. - Resolution No. 21 (2024 employee wages & salaries): Adopted, 23-1. 5% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024. - Resolution No. 22 (2024 staffing additions/adjustments in DHHS): Adopted, 24-0. Multiple FTE changes listed in committee paperwork. - Resolution No. 23 (Courthouse Modernization Subcommittee): Adopted, 24-0. Estimated 3'to'6 year timeline if fully funded. - Ordinances Z-017-2023, Z-018-2023, Z-019-2023 (zoning map amendments): Adopted, 24-0 each. - Heavy Rescue/Hazmat Apparatus contract awards: Approved, 24-0. - Appointment of Elissa Stults to Board of Health: Confirmed, 24-0.

The board placed correspondence on file and adjourned at 10:12 a.m.; the next regular meeting was announced for Nov. 14, 2023.