It appears that six of the fifteen members of Circuit Clerk, Nora Ohlsen’s clerical staff will be receiving raises this year. The Boone County Board is attempting to reduce expenses across all departments by 3%. For the non-union employees the board has proposed a return of the 3% raise granted for FY 2010. For union employees, a 3 % concession in wages was being requested in contract negotiations. However such concessions may be in question if the Circuit Clerk’s Office is giving step increases. The present “balanced county budget” (in the process of being laid over for public view) is based upon such 3% decreases in most all departments.
Through an apparent oversight, Ms. Ohlsen did not provide a written request to reopen negotiations. The contract automatically rolled over for one year and the six employees in the shaded area on the photocopy (shown below) will be receiving step increases. The six employees and the cost of the increase is showed in the first photocopy. The total additional cost is approximately $5,600 however this could be jeopardizing other labor negotiations and the budget itself. Because of their size, the most important negotiations are with the Sheriff’s Deputies and with Correction both are currently negotiating with the county board.
This worksheet was prepared by Ms. Ohlsen and was part of her presentation to the Finance committee of the County Board back in September.
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
Shown below is the section of UAW contract with the Circuit Clerk employees which states the the contract automatically rolls over.
Based upon conversations with county board members and with the County Administrator, it appears that county employees represented by another UAW union may receive step raises due to the county failing to provide a written request to reopen the contract. That information is being requested through the Freedom of Information Act.
