St. Charles County Council to Look at Employee Pay Study

County employee pay issues again will be front and center, as the St. Charles County Council will examine employee pay study during a Monday work session.

CBIZ conducted an employee compensation study in 2008, but the county’s contract with CBIZ calls for periodic updates to the study. Council Chair Nancy Matheny, R-District 3, said CBIZ will provide updated information at Monday's meeting.

“Back then (in 2008), there were a number of employees below the minimum range, and we chose to address that first,” said Matheny, of Weldon Spring. “In doing so, we created compression, where there’s a tight fit between the lowest and highest paid employees.”

Due to subsequent revenue and budget issues during the economic downturn, the county did not give raises to county employees.

Matheny said, “We hope it’s the beginning of the solution to the problem.”

In discussing the county’s budget in November and December, complained about salary compression.

Deputy Scott Ginnever told the council, “It’s disheartening to find out a guy just starting out is making just $1,500 less than me.”

Sheriff Tom Neer joined the deputies in asking for pay increases during budget discussions in December and January.

“No. 1, the sheriff’s department is the lowest paid of the four largest law enforcement agencies in the county,” Neer told Patch. “Second, it’s an established fact that a tenured officer makes about the same as a starting officer. One officer has been here 21 years, and he makes $3,000 more than an officer who starts tomorrow.”

The county council approved raises for Sheriff’s Department deputies with 10 or more years experience above raises for all county employees. However, vetoed the extra salary increase.

Ehlmann told council members that the compression problem doesn’t exist just for the Sheriff’s Department, but for all county employees. He said he believes the county should address pay issues for county employees as a whole. The salary increase also was not fully funded.

The work session starts at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Charles County Executive Building, 100 North Third St. in St. Charles.