By MaryHelen Swanson

Experts advise that to effectively disagree, people in conflict should stick to the subject and never bring up the past.

That would have been a good idea at the county board meeting on Dec. 19.

It started out with the usual county business of planning commission actions and other routine issues, but ended up a fracas with old grudges and resentments being dragged out of the cellar.

The goal of the meeting was to approve a final budget for 2008.

It was noted that although the board had approved a final levy the week before, there was a black hole in the budget of $294,000.

Things needed to be cut, noted County Administrator John Moosey as the discussion began.

He spoke of the layoff of 10 positions, and volunteer reduction of hours. He talked of the savings by increasing insurance co-pays. He also pointed out where additional revenue could be found.

Moosey's plan included spending money to encourage retirement, for courthouse security, and renovations to the second and third floors of the courthouse.

Before Moosey's plan could be acted on, Chairman Mike Robinson drew the board members back to the Dec. 12 meeting when the levy was approved 3-2.

It had been approved after significant discussion, when the question was called (this means that no more discussion will be accepted and the issue will be voted on).

Robinson asked the three commissioners who voted aye if they knew the budget was $300,000 short when they voted to call the question.

Immediately Commissioner Ben Montzka moved to accept Moosey's plan and called Robinson immature for asking that question.

Robinson said he didn't think they were $300,000 short, and Commissioner Lynn Schultz reminded them that they did see a discrepency at the Dec. 12 meeting.

Moosey had asked for permission to move forward with his plan. He didn't call out specifically where the layoffs would be, and said he hoped to find ways to keep costs down. His goal, he said, was to deal with the $295,000 deficit. and he said he would work with Auditor Dennis Freed.

But when Chairman Robinson would not recognize Montzka's motion to accept Moosey's plan, Montzka challenged the ruling of the chair.

The challenge was not accepted as their was no second to Montzka's motion.

A second attempt to challenge the chair's ruling was made. This time a vote was taken and the motion failed.

Montzka called for Robinson to step down from the chair.

Robinson continued to insist that the Dec. 12 vote to call the question was not according to Roberts Rules of Order, it needed a 2/3 vote not a majority, he said. He insisted he did not have an opportunity to speak when the question was called Dec. 12.

Commissioner Montzka remarked to Robinson, how can you say you didn't have time to talk, you're in control.

Suddenly the conversation was centered on the choice of board chairman and the meeting was out of control.

Montzka threw out a challenge to consider rotating the chairmanship, saying there had been some unusual behavior this year and he needs to stop hiding behind grudges. It was aimed at Commissioner Robinson.

Robinson retorted with a flash from the past bringing up an issue that arose right before the 2004 general election that centered around a signature on a resolution regarding the solid waste commission. It has been contested by two commissioners who alleged it was not legal. The air in the board room was decidedly hot as that meeting drew to a close.

As the last board meeting of the year opened, Dec. 26, the atmosphere tense, but considerably calmer.

Moosey's plan was re-reviewed and commissioners expressed opinions about certain aspects of it. As he had said Dec. 12, Moosey said the 10 positions to go would not necessarily be 10 bodies.

Auditor Freed continuously reminded the board that adoption of the budget was only so the county has something to work with. It was adopted and appears to be a work in progress.

In other business, Dec. 26:

• The commissioners discussed at length a cost of living adjustment for non-union employees and officials. Moosey recommended a 2.5 percent increase contingent upon increasing doctor visit co-pays going from $20 to $25.

Robinson suggested leaving the co-pay alone and going with 2.5 percent with anyone making over $85,000 having their salary frozen for six months.

Commissioner Rick Greene and Montzka moved and seconded a motion to go with the 2.5 percent COLA increase with no contingency. Robinson's friendly amendment to include his caveat about the non-union employees earning over $85,000 was not accepted. The amended motion died for lack of a second.

Another motion, this time by Robinson who stepped down as chairman, passed 3-2 for a 2.5 percent increase and a salary freeze on those who make over $85,000 for six months only was approved., effective Jan. 1, 2008. Commissioners Montzka and Gustafson opposed.

• Greene and Montzka moved to freeze elected official salaries. Said Gustafson, how can we do that when we just voted 2.5 percent for non-union. Montzka asked Moosey if he talked to the elected officials and asked them what they want.

From the back of the room Auditor Freed asked if he could speak. He said the COLA increase is only fair because elected officials' costs are going up the same as anyone else.

Montzka withdrew his second.

Schultz made the second for discussion.

Gustafson reminded all that the elected officials could challenge the vote and he didn't want to go to court.

It was voted on then and passed 3-2 with Robinson and Gustafson voting no.

Robinson stepped down again and moved to give the elected officials $1,500, Green made the second.

Gustafson said it was not fair to not give the COLA increase.

Robinson withdrew his motion, then moved to give them $10,000. There were a few chuckles, but no second.

Gustafson them moved, and Robinson seconded a motion to give the elected officials a 2.5 percent increase. It passed 4-1 with Schultz opposed. It was calculated in the 2008 budget. Current salaries for elected officials are: Auditor: $89,000; treasurer: $73,000; Sheriff: $100,000; Attorney: $90,000.

Schultz noted that there was no room for a cost of living increase in the commissioner's' salaries but they will have increased health costs.

• The commissioners moved 4-1 to not increase their salaries from 2007. It remains at $27,419. Greene voted no, he said, because the commissioners have not had a raise in five years.

• Volunteer per diems were kept the same at $50/meeting.

• The board approved a salary of $81,000 for Chief Deputy Sheriff Bob Shoemaker, in response to his letter requesting such. He noted that he asked for this amount last year and received $79,000. Moosey said Shoemaker got a lower increase last year than anybody in the county. He also does not fit into any wage category. Shoemaker's request which was approved reflects a 2.6 percent increase.

• The board approved the 2008 budget. One noticeable thing that might come from the layoff plan is that there will not be anyone at the front desk to welcome you to the government center nor direct you to where you want to go. Moosey will be working with a 3/4 million dollar hiring freeze as well as making cuts to positions.

Comment from bob syse, 1/10/08

I think its ironic that the highest paid positions in the county get a raise and the lowest paid get laid off. Who do you think needs a cost of living raise at the expense of others?