“The four administrative elected officials asked me to speak for their joint request,” said Director of Human Resources Roxanne Chmielewski. “What they are requesting is a one percent salary increase over 2013.”

 

Chmielewski said it was her recommendation for the officials to ask for a little more. But they agreed to ask for one percent, which is less that their staff.

“I was concerned about salary compression in the departments,” she said. “Their staff will get a one percent salary increase Jan. 1 as well as  merit increases that average about two percent. So that was my recommendation.”

 

With the increase, the four officials’ salaries will be as follows in 2014: County Attorney Kathleen Heaney $134,745; Recorder Michelle Ashe $92,267; Sheriff Joel Brott $135,642 and Auditor/Treasurer Diane Arnold $96,901.

 

The officials received a two percent increase in 2013.

 

In a separate action, the commissioners voted, 4-0 to keep their own salaries the same in 2014. The board received a two percent raise in 2013 that brought their salaries to $38,406. They also set their per diem rate at $50, not to exceed one per diem per day.

 

Commissioner Ewald Petersen was not present for the meeting.

 

 

The board approved a request by Sheriff Joel Brott to spend $35,419.57 as matching funds for a grant to purchase an amplifier for the ARMER system and up to 20 800 MHz radios. 

 

ARMER is the 800 MHz two-way public safety radio system used in the State of Minnesota.

 

“This would be a significant  upgrade for the jail facility and any emergency that occurred within the facility,” he said.

 

 

The board accepted the following donations from the Eddy Family Foundation; $2,000 to the sheriff’s office; $2,000 to the sheriff’s reserve unit; $1,000 to the mounted patrol unit; $1,000 to Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT).