York County Commissioners give employees raises as budget process continues

YORK COUNTY – As part of the budget process, this week the York County Commissioners set wages for employees working in certain departments (those run by department heads and not elected officials) and for the deputy county officials.

​The wages for those working under elected officials are set by those elected officials, not the county commissioners.
For the other employees, the board agreed to give them all a 2 ½% pay increase in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
“A lot of discussion has been held about this and we have been throwing around a lot of percentages and ranges,” said Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier. “I’d like to see a 2 ½% increase in their wages and I’ll make a motion to that end.”
Commissioner LeRoy Ott seconded Obermier’s motion.
“Following our review process, I think this is a fair number,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman. “And I also want to say I appreciated the in-depth discussions we had during the reviews we had with department heads. The process and those discussions also brought to light some issues we can place on our shoulders as the county board.”
“During the reviews, we found out communication was an issue all around and I think it’s now getting better,” Ott added.
“Yes, we are seeing improvements,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz.
“We also need to be saying, ‘what can we do to help you achieve goals,’” Obermier said.
They all agreed to the raises.
Then they were tasked with setting the wages and salaries for deputy county officials. Grotz said these amounts were recommended by the elected officials for whom the deputies work. They agreed to set the following for this fiscal year: deputy county assessor, $28.12 an hour; deputy county treasurer, $27.55 an hour; deputy district court clerk, $24.61 an hour; chief deputy county attorney, salary of $113,000; second deputy county attorney, salary of $44,000; salary for deputy public defender, $65,000. They had already set the wage for the deputy clerk earlier, as that was a new hire. 
“These figures will now be put in the budget,” Obermier said.
A public hearing had initially been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, but that hearing will now instead be held Sept. 17.
“We will start that day with the budget hearing,” Obermier explained. “Then we end the hearing and hold our regular meeting. With the budget, we are sitting pretty good. Right now, we are looking at a 1/3-penny increase in the property tax levy.”