DeKalb council asks auditor for raise‑cost scenarios as officials debate pay and fees

Council members spent substantial time discussing employee pay and department budget requests. The auditor said she would prepare comparative dollar figures for possible across‑the‑board raises (the council asked for 2%, 3% and 4% scenarios) and deliver those numbers by the next meeting.

Probation leadership described a competitiveness problem: the state minimum salary schedule has not increased recently, producing pay compression in which a first‑year administrative assistant may make more than a first‑year probation officer. Probation asked to use administrative fees to fund a 3% stipend for officers to remain competitive; the presenter estimated that a 3% base stipend for officers would cost about $26,220 (and $33,225 if other positions were included) and said the department could make the stipend a temporary measure while assessing sustainability.

The auditor reviewed budgets she manages and said most non‑general funds are unchanged; she noted modest increases to postage and overtime and reiterated that elected‑official pay would be settled only by full council with all members present. Council members emphasized any raise should, at minimum, offset projected insurance premium increases for employees.

No formal raise or appropriation was approved at this session. The council recessed and directed staff to prepare comparative raise scenarios and to include the requested department clarifications at the next meeting.