The DeWitt County Board at its monthly meeting Thursday night debated pay for non-union employees.

Melonie Tilley chairs the County's finance committee and explained to the board the proposal is a one-year scale which hasn't been done before as they try to mirror what the unions do.

Pat Ryan did not like the idea of a pay scale because it is not a merit-based proposal. Kristina Deerwester agreed with Ryan that the pay scale did not consider an individual's abilities or knowledge. Tilley felt it was a recognition of someone's time in a department - something the County had not recognized before with a non-union employee.

State's Attorney Dan Markwell and Administrator DeeDee Rentmeister point out the wage scale would keep employees jumping from one department to another because one may pay more than where they are currently.

Joe Witte viewed the wage scale as not allowing the market to dictate pay and be competitive. Rentmeister noted that the new pay scale would give high marks for an employee's years of service in a department.

Elected officials like County Clerk Kari Harris argued against the pay scale. She feels someone who doesn't know anything about her office is dictating how she is supposed to pay her employees. 

Witte reiterated his desire for the County to be flexible in its pay and allow the Department's to be able to adjust to get and keep employees.

Deerwester expressed concern about losing county employees to other opportunities that pay better. Harris anticipates losing employees because the private sector continues to increase its wages.

If the proposal was going to move forward, time was of the essence and Board Chair Dan Matthews was concerned because the proposal came forward without any numbers of what it would cost the County. With the budget process nearly wrapped up, he felt it was too late to make long-term decisions. 

The County Board approved a one-year increase for the County department's salaries Thursday.