Grant County approves highway group tentative agreement with phased wage increases and allowances

Grant County commissioners approved a tentative agreement covering highway department employees that mirrors many provisions in the Teamsters package: employer insurance contributions, cash-in-lieu for earlier hires, phased wage increases and updated allowance and benefit language.

County staff outlined the highway terms: employer insurance contribution of $950/month for single coverage and $2,000/month for family coverage; HSA contributions similar to the Teamsters terms; employees hired before Jan. 1, 2024, who waived coverage with proof of other insurance are eligible for cash in lieu as described; a three-year contract includes a 3% wage increase in the initial implementation and 3.5% increases in 2027 and 2028; uniform allowance for the highway group is $400 annually (not including steel-toe boots). The agreement also includes housekeeping updates such as comp-time language and removal of post-retirement health insurance provisions in specified sections.

The board moved, seconded and approved the highway-group tentative agreement by voice vote. Staff will incorporate the final language into the written contract and update insurance and benefit figures where required.