(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
2025 PLAN … Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles presents an insurance data graph as Mayor Bob Day observes.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Edgerton wage and compensation committee met on Monday October 21st to discuss the upcoming year.
Called to order at 6:30, in attendance was Chair Chuck Wallace, Jason Gruver, Pam Wampler, Leslie VanAusdale, Mayor Bob Day, Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht, and Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles.
Fitzcharles began by outlining the current wage and compensation plan which was implemented in 2021.
Each position is divided into proper pay grades with a framework for employees to obtain further training and certification to improve their position and compensation.
Several employees have taken advantage of this obtaining a CDL, mosquito and pesticide certifications and firearm instruction certification.
The upcoming year compensation plan would include a 3% increase with up to an additional 1% based on performance reviews. The increase follows the Ohio minimum wage increase which is 2.4%
Health insurance and benefits were presented next. Fitzcharles informed of some increases in medical and dental premiums but a decrease in vision premiums.
Also included were increases to deductibles. Fitzcharles provided several years of historical data of previous increases for comparison.
Several requests were on the agenda to be added to the budget for 2025, first being a drone purchase and training. Fitzcharles provided several examples as to when and why a drone with thermal capabilities could be used by many departments.
Drone operators would have to be licensed, FAA section 107 for remote pilots. If approved, licensing would start with police chief, fire chief, electric superintendent, and public works superintendent.
Next was a request to increase the HSA employee match. Currently if an employee utilizes an HSA and deposits $1,500 the village would match the employee contribution.
A proposed increase of a $1,650 employee match would help offset some of the increase to the medical deductible.
The final request would include a change to following the county holiday schedule. This would increase from 10 to 14, adding in Columbus Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, and Martin Luther King Junior Day. Fitzcharles explained it is often hard to do business on days when many other government agencies are closed for business.
Prior to adjourning, the committee discussed the proposed requests. Mayor Day provided further insight in how additional holidays and HSA contribution match centered around employee retention.
Fitzcharles added that things such as the apprentice program allowing work towards a journeyman’s electrician license can attract applicants even if the wage is not as competitive. With 3 open positions, attracting quality talent is important.
The committee meeting was adjourned at 7:09pm.