Washington County may raise mileage pay

The Washington County Board of Supervisors discussed mileage reimbursement rates for county personnel at its meeting last week.

County staff are currently paid at the state mileage rate of $0.39. The discussion was prompted by public health officials (the county’s largest department) suggesting a raise to the federal rate of $0.56.

“We have several different persons, especially on the home care side of things, that drive their own vehicles to provide care to the patients on behalf of Washington County,” Interim Public Health Director Chris Estle said at the last supervisor meeting. “With gas being close to $4 a gallon, close to $3.50 depending on what you buy, it does kind of create a hardship on the individuals driving around providing service.”

Public Health Fiscal Administrator Peggy Wood said the department had the money to cover the raise for this year, but would require budget adjustments down the road.

“It’s about a 17 cent difference, so I think it would add about $14,000 … for the department,” she said. “We can cover that cost now, but moving forward we would need to incorporate that into the budget proposal.”

While the discussion was prompted by public health staff, Board Member Jack Seward Jr. said the change, which would require amendments to the county handbook, should apply to all county employees.

“If we raise the mileage reimbursement rate to the federal rate, I think the intent would be that we do it for everybody in the county, not just public health,” Seward said. “Public health decided that was the best thing, so that’s why they brought it to us to consider for everyone.”

Board Chair Richard Young said the change could take effect as early as Dec. 1.

“We’ll put it on the agenda for next meeting as a handbook change,” he said. “(That) is the 30th, so let’s just say we approve it next week, we could actually have it start the next day.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com