Community

Ohio County Employees To Get Additional $500

Shelley Hanson

The Ohio County Commission approved a one-time pay increase of $500 for county employees just in time for the Christmas season.

Commission President Don Nickerson and Commissioners Randy Wharton and Zachary Abraham unanimously approved the pay increment during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

Some concern was voiced by Ohio County Assessor Tiffany Hoffman and a couple other county employees that workers may not get the pay increment this year.

There was some confusion on how and when the pay, which is allotted on a calendar year basis instead of the fiscal year, would be received.

After some discussion, Abraham said he believed the process of giving the pay increments is confusing for many and the county should look into doing a market study on what workers should actually be receiving pay-wise year-round.

"We need to have a third party come in and spend some money and do that," he said.

Workers are expected to receive their checks in the next few days as the county is observing the half-workday state holiday today as declared by the governor's office. Ohio County Chief Financial Director Rod Archie said he and another employee would work hard to try and get as many checks ready today as possible, but that the remainder may not be ready until after Thanksgiving.

In other matters, the commission updated an election policy related to information requests regarding voter registration records. The updated policy was mandated by the state and notes information available can include a voter's name; address; party affiliation; county precinct, magisterial district, senatorial district and/or city ward; registration status; voting history; and date of registration.

The public can request such information in writing. Requests will be recorded in a log and include the company and/or person requesting the information, along with the date and time of the research.