The county’s Wage and Classification Committee was eliminated Thursday, February 9, by Mackinac County commissioners, who say they will do the work themselves. County employees will now bring reclassification requests directly to commissioners, who have said they all want a hand in deciding how much employees should be paid when they are assigned added responsibilities.

The county’s wage and classification system uses points to determine a pay level based on job requirements. Under the committee system, employees could request a reclassification of their position based on significant changes in job requirements. The committee would consider requests at meetings in March and September, then make recommendations to the county commission.

Serving on the committee has been two commissioners, two union employees, and two nonunion employees, but a mistake in a court employee’s raise last year, that could end up in court, led commissioners to kick the employee representatives out of the process, even though they were not part of the problem, and assign themselves to future deliberations.

The problem began last October, when the Wage and Classification Committee recommended (and commissioners approved) a raise for a probate court employee that led to her being paid more than her supervisor. In January, commissioners claimed the wage actually being paid was not the one they approved and asked that the employee return $2,395.35 in overpayment. Then they approved a lower pay scale in line with the monetary amount they thought they had approved last year.

Probate Judge Thomas North, however, has protested the wage reduction, claiming the employee is owed the original amount under the point system used by the county and, at the February 9 commission meeting, asked that commissioners rescind their January pay grade action.

Commissioners, in the meantime, have asked for a legal opinion from an attorney.

At issue is interpretation of a time-in-service factor. While commissioners stand by their approval of a pay grade raise from Grade 5 to Grade 7, they contend they assumed the time-in-service factor would be reduced from Step 5 to Step 3. The employee, however, was paid at the Step 5 level, retroactive to March 2005.

Judge North says county policy only permits reduction in the step scale if the employee is promoted. His employee, he said, was not promoted, just given more money for additional duties, most of which are required by the state.

If Judge North is correct, other looming decisions will be whether commissioners can lower a wage that is in conflict with county policy, and whether commissioners are obligated to also raise the salary of the employee’s supervisor, who is being paid less than the employee.

Commissioners may also take a harder look at added workloads in the future.

By eliminating the committee, said Commissioner Jim Farero, “If there’s any question about added responsibility, then the board would have the opportunity to pursue the request and make a decision in regard to the classification of that job, if it has to be changed or not.”

In other action, commissioners said they will advertise for a temporary worker needed in the treasurer’s office while an employee is out on medical leave. County Treasurer Jane Hampton, who did not attend the meeting, recommended in a letter that former commission assistant Cindy Oliver be appointed to the temporary job. Mrs. Oliver’s position was eliminated by commissioners last year. Commissioners also decided they needed more information about the position, including the length of employment, pay, and duties, while noting the position would not include benefits.

Attending the February 9 meeting was new St. Ignace city manager, Eric Dodson, who spent a few minutes to let them know he has an open door policy.

“I’m excited for the challenge,” he told commissioners of his new position.

Also during the meeting, Commissioners Farero and Joe Durm said they will meet with Bob Robach, the county animal control officer, about the new contract for his job. Commissioners approved the contract in January, but Mr. Robach has yet to sign it.

Commissioners reappointed Mackinac County residents Jeff Stoll and Dan Yake to the 12member Hiawatha Behavioral Health board. The board has four members each from Mackinac, Chippewa, and Schoolcraft counties. Mr. Durm and assistant prosecutor Fred Feleppa also represent Mackinac County.

Commissioners will seek volunteers for one opening on the Mackinac County Planning Commission and four openings on the county’s Economic Development Corporation board.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a computer for the Mackinac County Animal Shelter, at a cost less than $500. A computer currently in use at the shelter is not compatible with the printer, owing to an older operating system.

Office hours for the public are at Thursdays at 1 p.m. in the county annex with the following schedule: Jim Farero February 16, Dawn Nelson February 23, Larry Leveille March 2, Carl Frazier March 9, Joe Durm March 16.

Commissioners will next meet Tuesday, February 21, at 1 p.m. in the Annex with the county Board of Public Works, Brevort Township trustees, and U.P. Engineers regarding the Brevort sewer project.