By Linda Sutter – July 23, 2024
In a significant move towards increased transparency and improved employee welfare, the County Board of Supervisors recently held a meeting where two pivotal issues were discussed; public workshops for the budget and the employee wage increases for the road maintenance crews. The decisions made at this meeting mark a shift towards greater public involvement and support for the County employees.
PUBLIC BUDGET WORKSHOPS APPROVED
After a lengthy public discussion, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of holding public workshops regarding the county’s budget. This decision was met with some resistance from 3rd District Supervisor Chris Howard and 5th District Supervisor Dean Wilson, who cast dissenting votes.
Dean Wilson argued that his election by the people justified his approach of consulting directly with department heads begore making budget decisions, a practice he noted had been the norm for years. Chris Howard’s reasons for opposing the workshops were not made clear during the discussion and somewhat convoluted.
In support of the workshops, Supervisor Valerie Starky pointed out that 95% of counties in California already conduct public workshops on their budgets. Darrin Short added that Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn participates in public budget workshops annually, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and public involvement. Joey Borges also expressed strong support, stating the public has a right to know how public funds are being allocated and spent.
The newly approved public workshops will be held in August, before the board passes the budget. Dates, times, and locations for these workshops will be announced soon, providing the public with an opportunity to engage in the budgetary process.
VOTE ON COUNTY EMPLOYEE WAGE INCREASES
The board also addressed the pressing issue of county employee wages, which are currently seen as inadequate given the responsibilities and risks associated with their roles, The county is severely understaffed, impacting the safety and security of roads and other essential services. A recent illustration on the county website highlighted a mere 92 cents annual pay raise for a county road worker, a figure many see as insufficient given the nature of the work.
In a close 3-2 vote, the board decided to approve wage increases for county employees. Dean Wilson and Chris Howard again cast the dissenting votes. Wilson argued that the decision was premature, as the county is awaiting the results of a wage study due in 6 months. However, Supervisor Starkey countered that the staffing issues had persisted for four years, making the decision anything but hasty.
Chris Howard did not provide a clear rationale for his opposition to the wage increase, however, clearly, he did not agree with the other board members.
DISCREPANCIES IN COMPENSATION
The discussion also highlighted significant discrepancies in compensation between department heads and regular county employees. For example, Heidi Kunstal, a department head, received $178,000.00 in regular pay in 2023 with a total of $336,000 including her benefits package found on California Transparent. Similarly, Neal Lopez CEO who negotiates with unions, earned $181,489.00 in regular pay with total compensation including his benefits package of $332,000.00. In stark contrast, many county employees struggle to make ends meet, with wages insufficient to cover basic living expenses such as rent and food.
These decisions by the Board of Supervisors represent a significant step toward addressing long-standing issues within the county. The approval of public budget workshops reflects a commitment to transparency and public engagement, while the wage increases aim to support and retain county employees who provide vital services to the community.
