Benton County Officials OK Christmas Bonuses

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

— Benton County’s justices of the peace Tuesday endorsed giving employees a $500 Christmas bonus as they continue working on the 2014 budget.

Tom Allen, justice of the peace for District 4 and chairman of the Finance Committee, said a bonus would provide a “morale boost” to employees, coming at a time when many are facing added expenses. Barb Ludwig, human resources manager, said the health fund has a balance of about $1.7 million and the $320,000 needed to provide the $500 bonuses could be taken out of that money

At A Glance

Finance Meeting

Benton County’s Finance Committee on Tuesday approved buying a software program to allow the Election Commission to create its own ballot for elections rather than pay a company to do the work. The software will cost about $60,000 and officials estimate the savings will more than pay for that cost.

Source: Staff Report

“I think we will have that much in excess at the end of the year,” Ludwig said “We’ve had two very good years and I feel confident we’re good, we’re safe.”

The justices of the peace then continued their budget work, focusing on personnel issues. The committee voted to proceed with some reorganizations and new personnel, but tabled other items, including a number of wage increases and adjustments from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office communication fund after questions were raised about the amount of money in the fund compared to the projected expense.

The remaining personnel items, capital requests and a request for money from Ozark Regional Transit will be on the agenda for the next budget meeting. The items approved Tuesday will cost the county about $280,000, according to Sarah Daniels, comptroller. The remaining personnel item cost about $98,000.

Daniels has told justices of the peace revenue for 2014 is expected to top $47 million. Operating costs are projected at $45 million, leaving about $2.1 million in revenue.

The justices of the peace have agreed to a 1 percent cost-of-living increase and money for merit raises equal to the cost of a 3 percent raise. Raises for individual employees would be capped at 7 percent. Those raises will cost about $1.12 million, according to Daniels.

The committee also voted to give elected officials raises. The county judge and sheriff would see their salaries increase to $88,054. The county clerk, circuit clerk, treasurer, collector and assessor would see their salaries increase to $81,901. The coroner will see his salary increase to $75,098.

Department heads have submitted capital equipment requests of about $2.2 million and requests for new personnel and wage adjustments would cost about $378,000.

County Judge Bob Clinard has said some of the new positions and reorganizations of the Planning and Environmental Department and the Road Department are both needed. The Road Department reorganization is aimed at putting more people in the field, Clinard said. Some supervisory position will be deleted and others changed to more hands-on supervision, Clinard said.

John Sudduth, general services administrator, said the Planning and Environmental Department will be designated the Development Department with three divisions — one for planning, one for building inspection and safety and one for environmental. Sudduth said two new employees will be needed for the building division. Clinard said the changes are needed to be in compliance with state laws and county ordinances.

The committee scheduled its next budget session for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19.