Dodge County tables revised employee handbook amid retention concerns

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10 agreed to table consideration of a revised employee handbook after County Attorney Hopkins said the proposed policies could limit the ability of elected officials and department heads to hire and retain qualified employees.

"My biggest concern is that the policies in the employee handbook may impede elected officials’ and department heads’ ability to hire and retain qualified employees," Hopkins said, adding that it is particularly difficult to retain attorneys if pay flexibility is constrained. Hopkins said merit increases had been eliminated, so seeking raises for employees would require exceptions under the proposed handbook language.

Supervisor Bendig told the board that Zelle Human Resources Solutions is conducting a countywide wage study to identify appropriate salaries based on job duties and comparable counties, and that the study could take up to a year to complete. Both County Attorney Hopkins and District Court Clerk Wegner said they would like wage-study results available before finalizing handbook changes; supervisors Strand and Tawney said they were open to tabling but requested a clear timeline for resolution.

The board unanimously approved a motion to table the handbook discussion until the Jan. 7, 2026 meeting. No specific handbook amendments were adopted at the Dec. 10 session; the board instructed staff to provide a timeline for completing the wage study and any recommended handbook revisions for further consideration on Jan. 7.