Supervisors agree with 2.5 percent increase for elected officials

Jefferson County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to follow the Compensation Board?s recommendation to provide a 2.5 percent increase in salary for elected county officials in fiscal year 2015.

?Usually the increase trickles down from the department heads to the rest of the employees,? said supervisor chairman Dick Reed.

The supervisors are working to finalize the county budget and approve it March 17.

?We?ve been discussing the budget with department heads, and the main thing for the county engineer this year is equipment costs,? said Reed. ?A few years ago, we bought three maintainers at once, which is nice to have three new maintainers at one time, but the problem is they all wear out at the same time.

?We?re trying to upgrade some equipment and want to be able to funnel more money into the department, and we need to have that discussion,? Reed said to his fellow board members.

?We?ve also discussed the Heartland Co-op project and French-Reneker needs to sit down with Scott [Cline, county engineer] and double-check the numbers about [upgrades to] Nutmeg and Osage avenues.?

Reed said the board has met with Sheriff Gregg Morton more than once, trying to decide what the appropriate budget figure is to provide to law enforcement in the county.

In other business, the supervisors approved a Phase 2 minor subdivision at Prairie Lakes Subdivision.

?It has a 36-foot wide strip that provides access to both lots,? said Cline. ?If two property owners have it, one needs to give easement to the other.

?This land has been pasture, it has trees on it and is sloped, not suitable for row crops.?

Cline reported his department had been busy the previous week cutting trees near the bridge project on Ash Avenue, working on equipment maintenance and plowing snow.

Secondary Road Department crews worked Saturday morning and afternoon moving snow, and Monday, when county offices were closed to observe Presidents Day holiday, road crews worked 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Cline said.

?Today, they are blading shoulders,? he said Tuesday. ?Bridge inspectors are here today and Wednesday.?

Cline answered supervisor Lee Dimmitt?s question that the county road department has an adequate supply of road salt, and he did not anticipate any problems.

The supervisors approved a septic/disposal system contractor?s license for Prosper Company.

?I worked with the guy before,? said Reed, a retired contractor.

Safety concerns in the work place and training were discussed at the latest county department heads meeting, supervisor Becky Schmitz said.

?We also discussed holidays,? she said.