Lancaster County board approves pay-grade raises for juvenile services, holds retirement leave policy revision

On March 10, 2026, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners approved changes to pay grades for several positions in juvenile services and corrections to address pay compression between officers and supervisory staff. The approved changes move the Correctional Records Manager from C15 ($67,932.80–$87,006.40) to C17 ($72,924.80–$93,392.00) and adjust three juvenile positions to higher pay grades with corresponding ranges.

Jon Thober, Human Resources Total Rewards Division Leader, told the Board the adjustments are intended to correct pay compression and help retain qualified staff at 24-hour facilities; Brad Alexander, Youth Services Center Director, expressed appreciation for the Board’s support. The motion to approve the recommendation for item 4KA passed 4-0 (Commissioners Flowerday, Vest, Johnson and Chair Yoakum voting yes; Schulte absent).

A related change to the county’s retirement leave policy (revising Human Resources Policy Bulletin 2019-2 to a 2026-01 Leave Benefits Upon Retirement policy) was discussed but set aside. Angela Skrivan, Human Resources Employee Engagement Division Leader, explained the proposed revisions clarify that employees who use vacation after their last working day remain active employees and therefore remain eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act protections. Commissioner Chelsea Johnson said she did not recall seeing the policy change and noted the draft redline was not attached to the agenda; Skrivan acknowledged the redline should have been provided. The Board decided to hold item 4KB for further review and return it to a future agenda.

The pay-grade motions were approved and the leave-policy revision was held for additional documentation and review.