Wage Increases And Early Retirement Incentives Approved by Boone County

County Board gives $10,000 to a Sheriff employee who is already retired as an retirement  “Incentive”.

The following is from page 7 of February 18, 2011, Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the area and on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/

 

Wage Increases And Early Retirement Incentives Approved by County

By Rebecca Osterberg

The Boone County Board approved a “Joint Supposal” at
the February 16 meeting in the form of an Agreement reached
in collective bargaining on January 26. The Agreement was
between the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) that represents
Boone County Sheriff’s department employees and the
county board.

The Agreement spells out wage increases over two years
and is retroactive to 2010. In Article #20, for example, titled
“General Economics,” the Agreement allows for no increase
for six employees as of December 1, 2010, except for the
already agreed upon 1.0 percent step increase. Effective
December 1, 2011, 17 employees will receive wage increases
of 1.5 percent in addition to the step increase of 2.8 percent
for a total of 4.3 percent and for 2012, the same 1.5 percent
increase, plus the additional 1.0 percent step increase for
eight employees. According to the article, the step increases
occur “on average.”

County representatives Cathy Ward (District 2), Kenny
Freeman District 3) and Pat Mattison (District 3), noted that
they opposed acceptance of the Agreement.

“During such tough economic times, this amounts to a
raise of 4.3 percent,” said Ward. “I will be voting against
it.”

Freeman and Mattison echoed Ward’s sentiments.

“You don’t have the funds to pay this,” Mattison said.
“I’m not going to be for these step agreements.”

In a written statement, Mattison clarified his statements
and added that there is now the need for an additional
$493,753.45 for county corrections and sheriff’s
departments. “What do we tell the Boone County employees
who did not get raises? What is the justification for giving
union employees raises, while we hold the line on others?”

Earlier in the meeting the board also approved early
retirement package for eligible employees who have
completed the pre-application procedure. The county board
was given an opportunity with language outlined by Boone
County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier to amend the
ordinance to state “current” employees that are qualified.
However, no amendments were offered to limit the process;
therefore, an employee who filled out the pre-application
will be eligible for the incentives.

The package includes estimated incentives under Option

#1, the cost of the employer’s share of single group medical
insurance for three years, or a one-time lump sum payment
of $10,000, under Option #2.

“Why are we considering somebody who is already
resigned?” asked Mattison.

Boone County Administrator Ken Terrinoni replied that
the program was under discussion prior to the retirement
of the employee. “I guess it’s up to you whether or not you
decide to pay him,” said Terrinoni. “If you already signed
the pre-application form then you are eligible. You only
have a total of 14 people that are eligible. Six signed up by
the deadline.”

Employees are required to be enrolled in the retirement
program, be at least 50 or 55 years old (depending on
the retirement program they are enrolled in) and have a
minimum of 25 years of service with Boone County as
of their termination date. The applications will need to be
submitted by March 31, 2011.

Representatives Freeman, Mattison and Ward voted
against the measure.