Seward County has adopted a new, higher starting wage schedule for county jobs that will potentially increase wages for current staff members, too.
Under the plan accepted at the May 13 Seward County Board of Commissioners meeting, current employees would be given the difference between the old and new starting wages for their positions.
In addition, county staff members would be eligible for a merit-based pay increase of up to 3%.
Human Resources Director Roxanne Knutson and Assistant Director Tiffany Allen discussed the proposed increases with the commissioners, factoring in a recent study by the Nebraska Association of County Officials, and in the end, using data for counties in the southeast portion of the state for comparison.
Commission Chair Misty Ahmic said the NACO study indicated starting county wage levels across the state were increasing anywhere from 2% to 10% and averaged 6%. The commissioners noted that the jobs listed in the statewide survey are not always a match for those in Seward County
Commissioner Raegan Hain said it is challenging to act on budget items for the coming year when the Legislature is still deliberating financial issues, but also noted the struggle the county has had hiring and keeping employees.
“Our employees are our greatest asset,” she said.
Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki also noted that situation but said he would support the plan put forward.
At the May 6 meeting when the wage schedule was first presented, Knutson told commissioners her department is working to have the starting wage schedule updated so there are not major changes when wages are reviewed every three years.
Also at the meeting, Ahmic reported that funding remains the issue for efforts to close and replace the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad crossing northwest of Milford which would impact just two farm entrances.
She said in other cases, the railroad and state would each provide $100,000 for a crossing closure. But because there is limited traffic in this location, the railroad has offered just $30,000 and she has not yet heard if the state will contribute any funds.
Highway Superintendent Jon Regnier said the estimated cost to close the existing crossing and create two new private railroad crossings would be about $50,000.
In other action on May 13, the commissioners:
• Took no action on the appointment of an Aging Services Advisory Board member because both applicants had withdrawn from consideration.
• Heard updates from Patrick Kriefels of Region V and Matt Kasik of Apace, and a budget allocation request for 2025-26 from Kriefels, which will be considered when the commissioners approve their overall budget for the next fiscal year. Apace services are funded by Medicare.
• Approved a conditional use permit for upgrading or modifying an existing wireless tower in Township 9.
• Meeting as the board of equalization, approved permissive property tax exemptions for Mercy City Church and denied a property tax exemption request for the Seward County Historical Society.
