Sheriff’s deputies to see salaries rise

By RICK MORAIN

For The Jefferson Herald

The Greene County board of supervisors on Monday approved a three-year collective bargaining contract reached in negotiations between the county and AFSCME Iowa Council 61, the union representing county sheriff’s office employees.

Sheriff’s deputies received larger salary increases than others because deputy pay in Greene County is below that of deputies in comparable counties, according to the board.

Salary increases for full-time sheriff’s office employees will be as follows, starting in July:

Deputies: July 1, 2019, 6 percent increase; Jan. 1, 2020, 4 percent; July 1, 2020, 4 percent; Jan. 1, 2021, 3 percent; July 1, 2021, 5 percent.

Jail officers: July 1, 2019, 3 percent; Jan. 1, 2020, 1.5 percent; July 1, 2020, 2.75 percent; July 1, 2021, 2.75 percent.

Telecommunications: July 1, 2019, 3 percent; July 1, 2020, 2.75 percent; July 1, 2021, 2.75 percent. 

The contract deletes longevity pay and adds those funds to the employee current base salary/wage rate. The county’s health insurance plan options will be available to employees covered by the agreement at the same coverage and premium rates provided countywide.

The contract expires June 30, 2022.

In other action, the board approved wages and salaries for staff members of the new county ambulance service, as follows:

Lacy Follett-Brubaker, paramedic, full-time, 13 years of service, $48,000/year; Andy Hamilton, EMT, part-time, $17/hour; Lori Harrah, RN exception paramedic, part-time, $20/hour; Mike Heinz, EMT, full-time, one year of service, $32,000 year; Chad Jones, EMT, part-time, $17/hour.

Also Michele Madsen, director and paramedic, $58,000; Daniel Moranville, EMT, part-time, $17/hour; Richard Moranville, EMT, part-time, $17/hour; Ryan Moranville, EMT, part-time, $17/hour; Mark Renslow, EMT, full-time, 19 years of service, $38,000; and Chris Anderson, EMT, part-time, $17/hour.

Members of the public discussed with the board for about half an hour concerning the board’s stated intention to adopt a resolution or letter to the Iowa Legislature to suggest changes to the state’s master matrix for confinement animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Board chairman John Muir read another county’s resolution asking the Legislature to “address the failings of the master matrix to protect the air, water, health, quality of life and economic interests of the citizens ...”

Some residents at the meeting suggested adding a request for a moratorium on additional CAFOs in the state until the matrix is changed to reflect changes in agriculture and the number of CAFOs since the matrix was first adopted years ago.

Members of Greene County Farm Bureau spoke against recommending changes to the Legislature, and presented a letter along with the Greene County Pork Producers to that effect. 

The board took no action one way or the other at the meeting, ending the conversation with a statement of intention to continue the discussion into the near future.

Muir said no action would be taken without due notice given to the public.

Following a public hearing, the board approved the sale of property located at 2047 100th St. north of Paton to Midland Power Cooperative. Price is $750 plus Midland’s agreement to accept the property subject to unpaid taxes and assessments and assumption of the cost of an abstract. The property is on a farmstead site previously owned by the late Herman Tripp.

The board approved the appointment of Barb Labate to the county’s veteran affairs commission.

Juvenile court officer Emilea Lundberg reported data on juvenile referrals, informal dispositions and court dispositions for 2017 and 2018. 

The year 2018 reflected a reduction overall in comparing numbers of juveniles referred to juvenile court services.