A resolution to increase the wages and benefits of non-union Freeborn County employees raised some disagreements between commissioners.

Friday, December 10, 1999

A resolution to increase the wages and benefits of non-union Freeborn County employees raised some disagreements between commissioners.

The two original resolutions would have totaled a 3 1/2 percent increase in the wages in benefits.

The first resolution asked commissioners to increase the grade table by 2 percent. The second resolution would have increased the county’s contribution to health insurance 1 1/2 percent.

While the dollar amount would have increased by 1 1/2 percent over last year, the percentage the county pays actually goes down, since the cost of the plan has increased.

The commissioners first discussed the wage increase, and amendments proposed seemed to divide the commissioners.

Commissioner Dan Belshan had offered an amendment that would have accepted the 2 percent increase across the board, but excluded the commissioners from receiving the raise. That failed for the lack of a second.

The resolution had commissioners making $18,770.14. The resolution also listed the county administrator’s salary at $74,203.58 and the county sheriff’s salary at $67,925.09.

County Administrator Gene Smith said employees from the county shop preferred an option that would give them a 3 percent wage increase, but would have little effect on the amount contributed to their insurance.

Chairman Brian Jordahl noted a gap existed between those with family coverage and those with individual or no coverage.

He felt that retaining the current contribution would be of greater benefit to those with family coverage, and offered less to those with individual or no coverage.

&uot;The problem I have is with this is the disparity between people with family coverage and the people who have individual coverage or aren’t enrolled at all,&uot; Jordahl told the other commissioners.

Commissioner Robert Berthelsen seemed to agree.

&uot;I would lean the other way and do something that affects all employees, not just those who are insured,&uot; Berthelsen said.

Smith pointed out that those who are not insured or have single coverage will gain the most from the 3 percent pay increase some county shop employees suggested. Those with family coverage would gain the most from the resolutions that were originally drafted.

Commissioner David Mullenbach offered an amendment that would &uot;split the difference so everyone benefits.&uot;

He amended the resolution to add a 2 1/2 percent grade level increase in wages.

It was noted that the amended resolution would give a greater contribution to those with family coverage, while still providing a greater benefit to those with individual or no coverage.

The amendment passed, with affirmative votes from Mullenbach, Berthelsen and Commissioner Keith Porter, Sr. Belshan and Jordahl opposed the amendment.

Belshan felt those in the higher wage brackets – $60,000 and $70,000 – would benefit more than &uot;those who really need the most. Employees with families who make less than $30,000.&uot; Belshan seemed opposed to any across the board increase and would have preferred something would benefit those in the lower wage brackets more than the higher paid employees.

Jordahl said he was reluctant to accept any amendments on the wage increase until he knew what other board members would decide on the benefits and county contribution.

However, Jordahl did vote to approve the amended resolution. Belshan was the only commissioner who opposed the amended resolution that would increase the wages 2 1/2 percent.

Belshan offered an amendment to the proposal regarding the county’s contribution to health insurance. He wanted the percentage of the county’s contribution to remain the same.

&uot;If we gave 50 percent last year, let’s give 50 this year. This is going to become a hiring issue,&uot; Belshan said, noting that prospective employees may not be inclined to apply with the county when other institutions offer high contributions.

But that would have significantly increased the dollar amount the county contributed, since the cost of health insurance rose from last year.

Jordahl again voiced his concerns that those with individual coverage and those not enrolled in the county’s plan would not receive as much as those enrolled with family coverage.

&uot;The lion’s share will go to those with family coverage,&uot; he said.

However, Bell Helfritz, county finance director, noted that Belshan’s amendment would increase the cost to the county, considering the resolution to increase pay 2 1/2 percent had passed.

&uot;That raises the overall cost to 5 percent from 3 1/2 percent,&uot; Helfritz said. The cost would increase from $226,500 to $285,000, he and Smith calculated.

An amendment that would increase what the county had originally agreed to pay by 1/2 percent was offered. That would mean a total of 4 1/2 percent increase to the package – 2 1/2 percent wage increase and a 2 percent increase in insurance contributions.

It was proposed that the increased contribution be made the same dollar amount, regardless of coverage.

The resolution passed, meaning the county would pay another $19.20 per plan per month. Belshan and Berthelsen opposed the resolution.

The 4 1/2 percent package increase will also be offered to all union employees. They may decide if the increase is used for wages, insurance or a combination of both.

The measures will be in effect for the pay period ending Jan. 8, 2000.