Council moves toward staff raises to midpoint after revenue review

Council members reviewed updated revenue figures from Baker Tilly and debated whether the county could afford pay adjustments that move employees toward midpoint salary levels. The auditor'led recap showed estimated operating receipts of roughly $21.16 million and, after discussed shifts and cuts, council members calculated the budget would be close to balanced with the midpoint raises factored in.

"We budgeted, $572,000 in raises. And if we take everybody to midpoint, we would actually save a $107,134," the auditor/council lead (speaker 2) said while explaining how midpoint moves could fit inside the proposed budget. Several council members supported midpoint raises; one member voiced concern about future years and emphasized fiscal caution, but the prevailing consensus in this session was to proceed with midpoint adjustments within the numbers before the body.

Council asked staff to verify two levy shifts with Baker Tilly (a $100,000 reassessment shift and the $380,000 CuneBridge shift) before finalizing any motions; the council planned to reconvene after a 3 p.m. hearing to complete the formal budget vote.