Bartholomew County Council prepares for 2019 budget

Bartholomew County employees should expect a salary increase of no more than three percent in 2019, unless department heads can demonstrate a need for a larger increase.

During Monday night’s work session of the county council, the body debated preliminary figures as they provide guidance to department leaders preparing their 2019 budget requests. Council members indicated that they already know that some employees, specifically those working in public safety, will likely see larger increases. Council President Mark Gorbett mentioned that Sheriff Matt Myers will be asking for 14-percent increases for some of his staff. He says that many employees will take jobs with the county, get training and work for a short period of time before moving on to a higher-paying position elsewhere, sometimes with nearby departments. Gorbett, a former sheriff, noted that the Sheriff’s Department has been fighting the same problem for at least 20 years and added that now is the time to address it. Councilwoman Laura DeDomenic noted that the council last year had to adjust the county’s IT department salaries beyond the percentage approved for other employees in order to bring them up to closer to market value in an effort to stave-off losing staff. She noted that this is a step that leaders will need to take from time to time as highly-skilled, high-value employees enter the county’s employ.

Councilman Jorge Morales noted that the city of Columbus will be implementing new salary adjustments after a recently completed salary study and that the county would be wise to follow suit. This got the attention of Councilman Chris Ogle, who noted that while he would love to give similar raises to all employees, the county’s financial position is much different than that of the city’s.

The council will begin budget sessions in the coming months. A clearer picture of county finances, salary increases and how revenue from last year’s increase in the local income tax will need to be spent will be apparent then.

The council’s next regular session is set for Tuesday, June 12th.