FARMINGTON — The majority of Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to accept the county Budget Advisory Committee’s recommendations for a $6.19 million budget for 2017-18, with proposed stipend adjustments.

Commissioner Clyde Barker of Strong opposed some amounts for program grants that received reduced funding or no funding.

The nonunion stipend adjustments will be taken up by the budget committee at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the county courthouse. A collective tally of what the amount would be was not known Tuesday morning. 

Commissioners voted Tuesday to give nonunion employees a stipend of $750 for those who have worked for the county over five years, $500 for those who have worked less than five years, and $250 for part-time workers.

The stipends are a thank-you for nonunion employees and elected officials for working with commissioners to change the Personnel Policy and lower the amount of accrued paid time off employees can acquire during county employment. It is an effort to reduce the county’s $280,000 unfunded liability regarding accrued paid time off, Commissioner Charles Webster of Farmington said.

Commissioners voted on June 12 to change the maximum hours of paid time off that can be accrued by nonunion employees. Previously the maximum was 1,200 hours for people who have worked for the county for over 10 years and work a 40-hour week. Under the change, it was lowered to 720 hours for those who work 40 hours a week. When an employee who fits into the category retires or leaves county employment, they would be able to get 60 percent of up to 480 hours if they have been employed for more than 10 years.

If employees have worked five to 10 years, they would be eligible to get 30 percent of 480 hours.  

Nonunion workers will not get raises in 2017-18, Webster said. He estimated the savings to the county at about $100,000, he said.

After the budget committee finalizes the budget, commissioners will hold a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22, at the county courthouse to set the tax rate.

In other business, commissioners approved the promotion of Sean Moore to sergeant at the Detention Center. He will replace Jason Hamlin, who resigned.

The county received four applications for the vacant position and they underwent an exam and oral boards. Moore was recommended for the position, Jail Administrator Major Doug Blauvelt told commissioners.

Commissioners have changed their first meeting in July to 9 a.m. July 11 at the county courthouse. The change was made because the next meeting falls on the July 4 holiday.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Copy the Story Link