Commissioners to consider proposal
County employees ask for days off in lieu of raise
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

One by one the head of each department of Ripley County government came filing into the Ripley County Commissioners meeting until thirteen departments were represented. County Recorder Tammy Borgman acted as spokesperson for the group.

Borgman said she understood there would not be a raise for county employees in 2006 and presented the Commissioners with a recommendation that each employee receive five additional days off in 2006 in lieu of the raise.

These would be personal days and could only be used one day at a time and not combined with vacation. This is to alleviate any scheduling conflicts that bigger departments might encounter.

Each employee who has worked one year with the county would be entitled to the five personal days. These days would be used in 2006 and would not be carried over or paid in case of termination.

Although all department heads were in agreement over giving their employees five personal days, there was disagreement over some of the process because everyone's department is different. County Prosecutor Ric Hertel felt it should be left up to
the officer holder on how they schedule the personal days.

Asked by the Commissioners if giving an additional five days off wouldn't be a strain on their offices, the department heads assured the
Commissioners that it would not. Donald Dunbar, President of the Ripley County Council said, "Nine out of ten people who visit the courthouse will tell you, they've got too much help. We have 114 people on insurance which went from $400,000 to $800,000 in one year."

Commissioner Bob Reiners said they would study the proposal and consider it if there is no raise in 2006.

All three commissioners were in attendance: President Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell. Attorney Neil Comer was present to advise the Commissioners. Auditor Mary Ann McCoy attended to take minutes of the meeting. The next Commissioners meeting will be June 6, at 8:00 a.m. at the Commissioners Room of the Ripley County Courthouse Annex in Versailles.

CATHY MAY PHOTO

Tammy Borgman, county recorder, addressed the Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, May 23, representing Ripley County government. The proposal given the Commissioners was that county employees would receive five additional days off in lieu of a raise for 2006.