Salary increases to go before Logan County Board

[July 14, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday, July 12, 2016, the Logan County Board Executive Committee held their monthly meeting. One focus of discussion was salary increases for Logan County Board Office administrative assistants Brenda Clark and Amy Kuhlman.

Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Ruben said the finance committee would discuss employee salaries in August. He said a small raise would be possible for all county employees. Requests for bigger raises will be needed in budget sheets.

Executive Committee Vice Chairman Kevin Bateman said he would motion for a five percent raise for Brenda Clark and a three percent raise for Amy Kuhlman. Clark's salary would go from $28,000 to $29,400 and Kuhlman's salary would go from $28,000 to $28,840.

Ruben asked whether raises would be in addition to a cost of living (COLA) increase.

Bateman said he would like to see the raise in addition to the cost of living increases.

Hepler said he wanted to amend the motion to $30,000 for each of their salaries.

There was some discussion about whether their workload was equal. Clark has a lot of work as Program Compliance Oversight Manager (PCOM) dealing with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and grants for transportation. Kuhlman has taken on additional responsibilities recently.

Davenport said the positions are not equal in duties.

Bateman said he would amend his original motion so Clark's salary would increase to $33,000 and Kuhlman's salary to $30,000.

Ruben said raising Clark's salary from $28,000 to $33,000 would be a 17.86 percent raise. He said that kind of raise would be hard to justify, and said it will be difficult to support even the current wages as it is if wind farm money does not come in.

Board Chairman David Hepler said he has worked closely with Clark and Kuhlman, and has been impressed by both of them.

Committee member Pat O'Neill said since the board "puts a lot on their plates," they should be compensated well. O'Neill motioned to amend their salaries to be $35,000 for Clark and $32,000 for Kuhlman, but his motion did not get a second.

Board member Miles Craig said many people know those in the board office work hard and it is difficult to define duties. He asked who has comparable duties.

Ruben said some county employees make more than $30,000, but many of them having been working for the county 20 years or more.

Bateman's motion will be brought forward at Thursday's Board Workshop.

Executive Committee members present were committeemen Chairman Emily Davenport, Vice Chairman Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, Scott Schaffenacker and Pat O'Neill, and Board Chairman David Hepler. Guests were board office administrative assistants Amy Kuhlman and Brenda Clark, and board members Chuck Ruben, Miles Craig and Bob Farmer.

The next Executive Committee meeting will be Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

[Angela Reiners]