Commission rescinds recent wage adjustments, sends pay changes to budget process

The Seward County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 3 to rescind wage adjustments that had been approved at a prior meeting and to consider pay changes as part of the county’s formal budget process. The action followed a staff presentation showing estimated costs for a 3% and a 5% across-the-board increase and the related employer benefit matches.

A county staffer summarized the numbers, saying the county would face an additional $401,146.14 at 3% and $668,576.90 at 5% when benefit matches were included. Commissioners expressed concern that the recent raises created equity issues across departments and that some of the cost burdens had not been fully accounted for in the general fund. One commissioner asked for the discussion to be “taken under advisement for use in our budget work sessions.”

Commissioner (mover) made a motion to resend the wage adjustments and postpone further action until the board’s budget deliberations; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0. The board recorded no immediate personnel changes as part of the vote and directed staff to bring precise budget estimates and comparisons for consideration during the formal budget process.