Independence Township non-union workers are getting a raise, except for those elected.
Supervisor Dave Wagner motioned on July 17 for department heads and non-union employees to receive 3 to 7 percent pay increases, one percent of which will go directly to health care. The motion was approved by a 5-2 vote.
Trustee Dan Kelly, who voted against the motion along with Trustee Charles Dunn, said there needed to be a stronger reason for giving raises higher than the 3.3 percent cost-of-living increase.
Kelly said supervisors for each department should hand in an evaluation of each worker explaining why certain ones should be paid more. He said non-union employees should be treated on an individual basis.
‘All we need is information,? said Kelly. ‘Who is getting the job done right, I want to reward them.?
Kelly recommended some sort of merit pay be given to those who have done a good job.
The current economy of the state was another reason Kelly said raises were too high, even if the 2006 audit showed ‘good numbers.?
‘Independence Township is not immune to the economic down turn of the state,? he said. ‘Maybe we haven’t felt it in the last year, but it will come and we have to anticipate it coming.?
A second motion was approved to freeze the pay of the four part-time trustees. However, all of them are required to contribute one percent toward health care.
‘We need to make a statement to the township that we do it out of service, not for the money,? said Kelly.
Treasurer Jim Wenger agreed it was ‘not the right time? for the board to accept an increase in pay.
A third motion was passed 4-3 to give a one percent raise to the three full time officials: clerk, treasurer, and supervisor. They also will contribute that one percent toward health care.
‘Right now all full-time (employees) are donating one percent in health care, we’re starting to pay into a fringe benefit that is going up.? said Wenger.
Even though it may look like an increase, the one percent raise is put right back into healtcare, he said.
Wenger said decisions made by the board addressing finances should not burden future boards. If board members promise something, they should stick to their promise.
The new salaries will range from $40,823 ? $76,130 a year.