Published: December 04, 2008 11:16 pm         

Vigo County Council OKs salary increases

TERRE HAUTE — Vigo County gave salary increases for 2009, despite having to cut more than $800,000 from its proposed budget.

The Vigo County Council last week approved a salary ordinance with increases of 1 to 3 percent. The Terre Haute City Council approved a 3 percent increase for city employees last month.

“We dipped into our operating balance to fund that, which is what the city has been doing, because we know in the future, in the next couple of years it will be tougher to get pay raises, if at all,” said Council President Darrick Scott.

“We will lose about $2.5 million next year” from property tax revenues for the county budget, Scott said.

The county’s budget is projected for an 18-month period, the last six months of the current year and 12 months of the budget year. The operating balance is used to cover payroll and expenses from one tax settlement to the next. Spending down the operating balance means the county is spending more money than it is receiving.

Scott said the council used about $300,000 from the operating balance for salary increases.

“The operating balance is about $11 million, which is from being prudent. The council was at the point of giving a little this year. We couldn’t give 3 percent across-the-board. We figured with times coming up in the next year or two, we needed to give our employees a little bit of raises,” Scott said. “Next year and the year after there is a possibility we could not give any raises. One percent is not a lot, but 1 percent is something.”

The council did not take a salary increase, with the majority of the council earning $11,956. Two council members, Scott and Tim Curley, D-1st, are on police and fire pensions and do not qualify for the state Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF), so they earn $12,315.

Elected officials received a 1 percent increase. Vigo County Commissioners will earn $46,700 in 2009, while the county auditor, coroner, recorder, surveyor and treasurer will earn $43,587 in salary. The county assessor will also earn $43,587, plus $1,000 for being a level II certified assessor. The county clerk also earns $43,587, plus $4,500 from the Vigo County Election Board.

The Harrison Township Assessor will earn $39,435 in 2009.

Probation officers are paid under a state scale, based on years of experience. The scale ranges from $29,268 with no experience to $53,833 with 20-plus years of experience.

There is additional pay for those who supervise, while those who have a master’s or doctorate degree earn an additional 5 percent. For example, the minimum salary of a probation officer with five years’ experience in 2009 is $40,447, but if that officer has a master’s degree, the salary is $42,469 in 2009.

Sheriff Jon Marvel received a contract for a salary of $130,647, plus money he earns from the collection of state tax warrants, which varies annually as much as $7,000 to $12,000. Marvel had sought the contract after a state agency said he could not receive profits from feeding inmates.

Deputy sheriffs had sought a 4 percent salary increase plus $2,500 in hazardous pay, however the council approved a 3 percent salary increase and did not approve the hazardous pay.

Deputies in 2009 will earn $36,758; a deputy with a police canine will earn $37,323; sergeants and chief of operations, $38,455; lieutenants, $40,151; and chief deputy sheriff, $47,741. If an officer also serves as detective, in the drug task force or in forensic, $1,500 is added to the salary. Officers also get $1,650 for clothing allowance and longevity pay starting in the fourth year at $275, with a maximum longevity pay of $4,400.

The majority of county employees received a step pay increase, based on number of years and job duties. The step increases range from $400 to $600.

Union employees for the Vigo County Highway Department received a 2 percent increase in hourly salary for 2009. The new salaries range from $14.39 per hour to $15.02 an hour. There is also a class pay for workers meeting training and other criteria of an additional 71 cents per hour. A non-union area supervisor will earn $15.58 per hour in 2009.

Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.