By Ken Krall, WXPR News

Oneida County has formed a committee to look at the complex issue of wages paid to county workers.

Oneida County Board chairman Dave Hintz

Oneida County Board Chair David Hintz says a study done last year found that wages trailed comparable governments by 6.4 percent.

The county has set a goal to implement a graduated plan to bring wages to the higher level. The annual increase would amount to $800,000 with the idea of half implemented in July, 2019, and a second increase in January 2020, through the normal budget cycle.

But Hintz says the trick is to do so affordably.

“I want the committee to work hard, have an open mind, question the Carlson Dettman study, did they look at the right counties [for comparables], is it really a valid comparison? Even question our wage and salary system. I believe we have 13 steps (wage scale) in some of the groups. Maybe we need more steps, less steps. So anything is fair game. But it will be a challenge. It will not be an easy committee to be on or do what is requested of them.”

The committee will consist of five county department heads and five county supervisors. The committee will look at ways to increase revenue, efficiencies and cost reduction, eliminating what are termed low value services and programs, prioritizing county projects, optimizing employee benefits and considering other funding approaches.

The committee will meet two times per month and have a report to the Administration committee by Sept. 1.