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A proposed pay increase for Assessor Jason Nettle's two remaining employees has brought criticism from Calhoun Commission president Rick Sampson, saying the $8,000 amount per employee is "out of line."
Sampson indicated public money would be "misused" by Nettles, while Nettles says the money would be allocated from the Property Valuation Fund and not county taxpayer money.
Commissioner Kevin Helmick said "I've tried to consider the taxpayer's concerns regarding increases, at the same time understanding our employees need to receive fair compensation."
The Property Valuation Fund is controlled by the State Tax Department, with the Property Valuation Commission making decisions about the fund's use by Assessors.
Later, Nettle's said he had decided to give his employees a $2,500 pay increase.
Nettle's, who has exercised what he says is his constitutional authority to control his own budget, was not present at Monday's commission meeting.
The proposed $8,000 raise for one Deputy Assessor would have increased their salary from $18,972 to $26,972.
Earlier this year Nettles essentially withdrew his participation in the current county employee's handbook, and has spent about $2,000 from his budget to develop his office's own personnel policies.
The county handbook has needed updated, and elected officials have not signed-off on its policies. Contention over the handbook is focused on setting wages for county employees.
West Virginia Code suggests counties establish minimum and maximum salaries for employees. The current handbook is much more specific.
Nettle's says he is not against a county employee's handbook, but until the document is agreed upon, he wants to cover himself, which he says is legal and constitutional.
A meeting on the county handbook is scheduled for Monday, where all elected officials and two county employees will refine the current handbook, according to State Code guidelines.
The committee's recommendations will be submitted to the Commission for approval.
Attending the commission meeting Monday and objecting to Nettles' proposed pay increases was Cathy Helmick, mother of commissioner Kevin Helmick. "I can think of better ways to spend the money", she said.
Janet Hightower asked commissioner Weaver if there was a problem video taping the commission meeting, and he responded by saying taping of public meetings is legal and covered by the Open Meetings Law.
County Clerk Richard Kirby, in reaction to Nettles' request, asked the commission to revise his budget to give $8,000 (plus benefits) pay increases for his three employees, in addition to a $2,000 to hire an attorney to prepare his own policy manual.
Those requests would likely come from general county funds, and
the commission did not act on his request.
Nettles explained he had about $16,000 left in his Property Valuation Fund since an employee left his office.
"Should an Assessor amass huge carryovers in the fund, they could face a reduction in funds for the subsequent years," he said.
"The Assessor's office over the last eight years has diligently tried to save and guard the taxpayer's money," he said, indicating that he has saved the general county fund over $20,000.
Nettles says a 10% pay raise issued county employees actually reduced his employees salaries.
Historically, county employees have been on the low end of a pay scale, but the coumty has been trying to improve the wages in recent years.
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