County staff present plan to raise employer retirement match to 4% to aid recruitment

County Manager Paul Van Haute introduced consultant Greg Gease at the Dec. 5 meeting to review neighboring counties’ retirement programs and recruitment strategies.

Gease presented a handout comparing retirement plans and recommended increasing the employer match for Putnam County’s defined-contribution plan from the current 3% to 4% to help with recruitment and retention, particularly for public safety staff. He said roughly 80% of county employees participate in the defined-contribution program, though not all contribute at the maximum level.

Van Haute told the board that staff will prepare a resolution for a future meeting to implement the recommended change; no formal vote or ordinance was taken on Dec. 5.

If commissioners choose to proceed, the change would be returned to the board for a formal vote and any required budget or ordinance adjustments.