Several topics on the agenda when the Wayne County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday involved the coming year's budget.
Mike Pommer was present at the meeting to discuss the county's budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. He explained some of the steps the county needs to follow in preparing next year's budget and some of the new restrictions.
City Treasurer Lisa Lindsay asked Pommer questions about the need to transfer funds from the General Fund to the Roads/Bridge Fund and the amount of money that needs to be in the beginning balance of different funds for the next year.
Discussion was also had on determining the amount that needs to be in the county's reserves and which funds they go into.
Pommer talked about upcoming legislation and what impact it will have on the county moving forward.
Also on the agenda was discussion on employee pay increases for that are scheduled to take effect July 1.
County officials told the commissioners they had met for a budget meeting and noted that for approximately 20 years, county hourly employees had received a flat $1,500 raise.
"Twenty years ago, that was a lot, but now that percentage is 2.65% while the inflation rate is 5.17%" said Treasurer Lindsay.
She told the commissioners there are 35 hourly employees on the county's payroll. The majority of these work 40 hours a week and others work 37.5 hours. Based on an estimate of these employees, Lindsay said they would need to have a raise of $2,950 to get to the 5.17%.
"After discussion, we came up with a suggested raise of $2,350, which would be just over 4%. This would be effective July 1," Lindsay.
County officials said they felt the raises are necessary "because we don't want to lose employees. Without these employees, the offices don't run and it costs a lot to train new employees."
Following discussion, Commissioner Terry Sievers made a motion to grant raises of up to $1.25 per hour, following employee evaluations.
Commissioners also got an update from Sandra Hansen on the expenditure of ARPA funds throughout the county.
Hansen told the commissioners that the majority of the projects have been completed, including the purchase of fire trucks for local volunteer fire departments, a water project in the village of Carroll. She said she is required to submit a report each April and will do so again at the end of the year.
A Flood Plain Ordinance, presented by Wayne County Highway Superintendent Kyle Huff, was approved. He told the commissioners that at the present time, there are no flood plain issues.
The commissioners went into executive session to discuss litigation.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, June 17 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
