Logan County Board adjusts for new office managers, Veterans Assistance and website

[May 12, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday, May 10, 2016, the Logan County Board Executive Committee held their monthly meeting. The main focus of their discussion was the Board Office salary. They also heard updates on the website and Veteran's Assistance Commission office space.

Board office salaries

Committee member Kevin Bateman motioned that the board make Brenda Clark's salary $28,000 with a quarterly stipend for her work as the Program Compliance Oversight Manager (PCOM).

Board member Chuck Ruben, who chairs the Finance Committee, said that while it sounds good, it would be impossible to budget and would make it difficult for payroll. He said giving her a raise would be better and they should just set the salary at budget time.

Ruben said salaries were adjusted when the new staff in the board office started their positions. Both of them get $28,000 a year.

Bateman said since the state reimburses quarterly, the stipend would come of out PCOM money rather than the payroll budget. The reimbursement amount may fluctuate quarterly.

Ruben asked how payroll deductions would be done with the fluctuating salary. He said Clark could end up paying higher taxes the last quarter because it could bump her to the next level.

Ruben said, "It becomes a nightmare for payroll."

Bateman said he feels it is similar to being paid on commission since that amount often changes.

Ruben said grant money goes into the general fund and the Program Compliance Oversight Manager gets an amount based on the amount of grant money.

Board Chairman David Hepler asked whether the salary could just be set at a certain level.

Ruben suggested they consider giving Clark a merit raise at budget time.

Veteran's Assistance Commission updates

Executive Committee Chairman Emily Davenport said the Veteran's Assistance Commission will be using a conference room in the courthouse for office space.

Ruben said the act requires the board to provide the Veteran's Assistance Commission office space. A phone line and a cabinet have already been set up in the conference room. Ruben reminded the committee the board is temporarily helping the VAC with bills (until money from the levy comes in). At some point, the VAC will have its own equipment.

Davenport said Hepler had mentioned something about Brenda Clark helping out with the VAC, and the VAC would reimburse her for her time.

Several members of the committee said they feel Clark already has "a lot on her plate."

Clark said when she read through the Veteran's Assistance Commission Act, it suggested the secretary for the VAC be either a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or widow of a veteran. Clark said that rules her out.

Some committee members said they thought the VAC may already have their own secretary.

Website update

Board Office Administrative Assistant, Amy Kuhlman, said she and Brenda Clark have been working with Paul Adams on changes to the county website. They have adjusted the names so the County Board members' contact information will be correct and added the new board office employees.

Kuhlman asked whether she should continue to upload agendas for the Logan County Board and committee meetings in a PDF format or follow the format used by the city. The city uses a calendar icon.

Bateman said he prefers the calendar format the city uses. Clicking on a date will show what meetings are on a given day.

Clark said when she and Kuhlman were both signed into the site, it would kick her off. She is concerned that it will be overloaded when many departments are on making changes. It is something departments will need to watch when the website is up and running.

Committee members present were Chairman Emily Davenport, Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, David Hepler, Scott Schaffenacker and Pat O'Neill. Board member Chuck Ruben was a guest.

[Angela Reiners]