No action taken on Community Services’ salary request

     After many months of discussion, during the April 25 Jones County Board of Supervisor meeting, the board decided not to take any action to increase the salary of the new Community Services Director.

     Lucia Herman was hired for the position a month ago in early April. She will replace Deb Schultz who is retiring at the end of the current fiscal year, June 30.

     The lack of action reflects the fact that Herman’s salary in her new position (from Case Management Supervisor) will remain at $58,994, the same salary Schultz is receiving.

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach suggested a salary of $61,000, stating this rate would be what Schultz would have received if she remained on.

     “This will be Lucia’s first year in the position region-wise,” said Manternach of serving the mental health region. “$61,000 would still be pretty low when compared to the region, but everyone else in the region has more experience.”

     Manternach said he did not necessarily agree with Herman’s request of $65,500.

     Supervisor Joe Oswald was willing to approve a bump up to $60,000.

     Supervisor Ned Rohwedder felt torn on the decision.

     “I feel that in light of the position, there are so many variables,” he voiced, citing case management as a big variable. “She accepted the job at the salary stated before,” added Rohwedder. “I would leave it at that.”

     He said he would be willing to review the position and salary after six months. “I’d like to see it play out a bit before we make a big increase,” concluded Rohwedder.

     Oswald agreed. “I would hope that we would be open-minded down the road concerning an increase,” he said to the rest of the supervisors.