Compensation board recommends 3 percent increase

VINTON — The Benton County Compensation Board gave county supervisors its salary recommendations for Benton County’s elected officials during a brief meeting Dec. 27.

Mark Zahradnik of the compensation board read a statement at the start of the meeting. “If I offend somebody, I really don’t care. Because last year it turned into something that I wasn’t real pleased with what I saw.”

Zahradnik replaced his wife, Jennifer Zahradnik, on the board after Jennifer Zahradnik resigned. He represents the supervisors on this board.

Zahradnik said that his wife put forth a common sense compensation plan that everyone agreed to.

“One state employee was not happy with the results and threw a tantrum. Jennifer resigned from the board, and the first results were then thrown out,” said Zahradnik.

“A second meeting was called where everyone decided to abandon the person they represented and join the complainer in asking for 8% raises across the board.

“That being said, if the advocates are going to follow the highest percentage, then I say we lock all of the employees together, vote once and be done,” said Zahradnik.

“Let the supervisors decide where it falls. I don’t need to sit here and listen to everybody’s bios if it isn’t going to matter.”

Zahradnik said that the board president said compensation had nothing to do with performance. An 8% inflation rate was used to determine the rate last year.

“This year inflation is 3 percent, therefore we used that across the board and be done with it,” he said.

The supervisors approved an increase of 7% in January for this year’s budget, after the compensation board recommended 8.3%

Compensation board members agreed with the increase of 3% across the board, with no one opposed. The recommendation goes to the Benton County Board of Supervisors.

John Yundt was chosen as board chairman. Mike Barnes was named vice chair. The secretary is Melinda Schoettmer, Benton County Treasurer.