Compensation board gives supervisors opening target for FY22 budget

GREENFIELD — County compensation board member Jayne Lents met with the board of supervisors in their Dec. 16 meeting to give an opening recommendation to them regarding pay for the upcoming fiscal year 2022 that begins July 1.

The supervisors will soon be beginning to engage in the budget process for the year, according to Chairman John Twombly, and will use these recommended numbers going forward.

The compensation board recommends a 5.5% raise for County Attorney Melissa Larson and Sheriff Jeff Vandewater with a 4.5% increase going to all other elected officials.

“We discussed as a board that we’re going to going ahead and plan the budget with those numbers but if we can’t do it without increasing the levy we’re going to have to back it down,” Twombly said. “I, for one, don’t want to increase the levy for a pay raise. We’ll have to see where the new revenues are. You’ve gotta start from somewhere.”

Twombly said that those requesting funds from the county will likely have to call into the supervisors to make their fund request presentations this year. The supervisors plan to meet in person during that process in the courtroom.

In other county business, the board:

• heard a report on Group Benefit partners regarding health, dental and vision insurance coverage for FY22. According to Twombly, the rate increase is likely very low compared to other counties in the state.

• discussed an appointment for the Magistrate Appointing Commission, which meets to appoint a new magistrate when needed. No action was taken.

• set a public hearing for a budget amendment for the current fiscal year.