Commission approves several starting wages amid broader discussion of turnover and hiring challenges

The Seward County commission approved starting wages for four positions after discussion about pay scales and recruitment challenges and heard a broader administrative report on employee turnover.

The approved starting wages were: landfill systems technician $18/hour; health-department LPN $20/hour; part-time RN $29.34/hour; and a JCAPS juvenile intake and assessment officer $24.88/hour. A motion to approve the set of starting wages was made and passed.

Commissioners questioned the use of OJA pay scales and the disparity between pay levels for different job types; some expressed concern about adopting outside pay scales rather than updating the county's compensation study, which county staff said is more than five years old. Health Department Director Bree Greason defended the proposed LPN rate as competitive for the local market and emphasized recruitment constraints: "For me and mine... I think, to be competitive, just between the hospital and the nursing homes here in town ... that seems to be kind of the middle ground." She said vacancies and the time positions remain open are factors in her hiring requests.

In administrative comments, a county official reported 28 separations since Jan. 1 and a reported 14% turnover rate in the period covered. The official summarized retention suggestions including stay interviews, competitive compensation, and clearer leadership communication, and said confidential exit data cannot be made fully public but will be shared with commissioners.

Next steps: wages approved as presented; administrators will continue recruiting and report back on vacancy fills and the treasurer/HR will work with commissioners on compensation and retention planning.