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Oscoda County approves retroactive $3-per-hour pay for two court employees; treasurer and sheriff warn of precedent
Summary
The commissioners authorized a $3-per-hour retroactive pay increase for two court employees from May 30 to Aug. 19, 2024, citing a union Letter of Agreement and a judge’s recommendation; the treasurer questioned the backpay and the sheriff said he did not agree with the decision.
At its July 9 meeting the Oscoda County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize a $3.00-per-hour compensation increase for two court employees, Chelsea Butler and Sherry Fleszar, retroactive to May 30, 2024 and continuing through Aug. 19, 2024. The payroll adjustment is to be implemented by the County Clerk’s Office and paid from TC Clerk budget line 101-130-705.02.
Court Administrator Brenna Kirkpatrick presented the recommendation, stating it was supported by Judge Morse-Bills and a Letter of Agreement from the United Steelworkers union. "As recommended by Judge Morse-Bills and supported by a Letter of Agreement from the United Steelworkers' union," the minutes record the basis for the payroll action. The motion, made by Commissioner Tom McCauley and seconded by Commissioner Jackie Bondar, passed on a roll-call vote.
During public comment, Treasurer William Kendall questioned the retroactive pay and asked why backpay was allowed, saying it "sets a precedent" for other departments and employees. Sheriff Kevin Grace, speaking later in the public-comments period, said he does not agree with the additional compensation being approved for the court employees and expressed concern that the county’s common practice has been for staff to provide coverage rather than pay retroactive increases. The board did not rescind the authorization; payroll implementation was directed in the motion.
The minutes cite the source of authority for the pay change as a Letter of Agreement with the United Steelworkers union and the judge’s recommendation; the text of the Letter of Agreement was not included in the minutes. The board recorded the payroll implementation instruction but did not debate alternate funding sources at the meeting.
The board will meet next on July 23, 2024. Any follow-up on payroll implementation or questions about precedent would fall to the County Clerk/Payroll office and the Treasurer to monitor.
