Lincoln County commissioners send library pay dispute back to Library Board

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 4 voted to refer a contested pay increase for Library/Museum Director Sharron Faehling back to the Library Board and leave the current $30.04 hourly rate in place pending that reconsideration.

The dispute arose after Commissioner Diane Path said she believed she had voted for a $3.04-per-hour increase at an earlier meeting but audio later showed the approved amount was $30.04. "I can’t in good conscience give a raise, with taxpayer money, to give an over $9.00 raise," Path said during the Aug. 4 discussion, explaining her earlier vote and fiscal concerns.

Supporters, including Chair Janine Woodworth and Commissioner Lisa Poulsen, said the combined Library/Museum position brought increased duties and that the budgeted raise reflected those additional responsibilities. Library Board Chair Phyllis Robistow and other community members submitted letters supporting the higher rate; Robistow told the Board the Library Board had approved the $30.04 figure.

Director Sharron Faehling apologized for the confusion, told the Board she would accept the Library Board's decision and asked the commissioners to consider rescinding the increase if they felt she was not worthy of it: "If it’s felt that she isn't worthy of the increase then it should be rescinded," Faehling said. She also said she had performed added duties for about a year and did not previously receive an increase when taking on the museum responsibilities.

Commissioner Diane Path moved to approve a $3.04-per-hour increase; the motion, seconded by Commissioner Keith Pearson, failed on a 2–3 vote (Path and Pearson in favor; Commissioners Mike Reese, Janine Woodworth and Lisa Poulsen opposed). A subsequent motion by Commissioner Mike Reese to keep the $30.04 rate died for lack of a second. Reese then moved to send the matter back to the Library Board for reconsideration and to keep the $30.04 rate in effect pending that review; that motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed budget transparency and the role of the Library Board in setting pay for library-funded positions. Treasurer Shawn Frehner cautioned that accepting budgeted raises without review could encourage inflated budgets in future years. The Library Board is scheduled to reconsider the matter and the county will follow the Library Board’s recommendation once returned to the commissioners.