SIOUX CITY () – The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors moved closer to finalizing the county budget and supervisors took another step as they approved a 4.25% raise for non-union county workers Tuesday night.
Board chairman Matthew Ong says the 4.25 percent increase is still below inflation, higher than the 4 percent increase he approved last year. Retention is important, Ung said. He believes that a 4.25 percent increase would help maintain that while keeping taxes unchanged.
“It’s really hard to find a balance on the board about what is a fair cost of living or wage plan because not only do you have economic factors, compared to the private sector, but you have five different boards with five different opinions. There are also members,” Ang said.
One of the next important parts of the budget is finalizing the board’s recommendations for compensation for elected officials, as well as pay increases for county sheriff’s deputies.
Currently, the union representing deputies is demanding a 10 percent raise in the first year of a three-year contract. a nine percent increase in the second year; and an eight percent increase in the third year.
Woodbury County countered with a four-year contract that includes a 1 percent wage increase each year. All budgetary measures will be finalized by March 28.
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