Washington County elected officials and department heads still await a budget directive for wage increases in the next fiscal year. At their weekly meeting, the Washington County Board of Supervisors again tabled action on setting the budget directive. The supervisors have received a directive from the county compensation board for a 3% increase to elected officials’ wages along with a $1,000 adjustment for the county attorney, sheriff, treasurer and recorder.

While discussing the suggested wage increase, Supervisor Abe Miller mentioned a cost of living increase, “I guess my question is, we’ve spent a lot of money, we’ve kind of maxed out a lot of things I believe, where is the money coming from? Because we’ve got more things coming up we’ve got to spend. So where is the money?” Chairman Bob Yoder said the tax base has increased.

Supervisor Jack Seward said considering the low unemployment rate and economic state, “There is a lot of data that I think you could find to support your position, Abe. And I think there’s also a lot of information that can be found that would support [the proposal]. We have to look at what our local situation is. We have to look at our proximity to Iowa City and the ability of people to leave here, drive 25 or 30 miles north and make more money, so we do have to think about retention and keeping the good employees.”

The budget has been on their agenda since mid-November and the compensation board met December 5th. The item will again be placed on the supervisors’ agenda next week. Due to the holidays, the meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Washington County Courthouse.