County rejects Quincy annexation, pay adjustments

Tuesday was a day of "nos" for Branch County Commission. A 3-2 vote turned down an annexation request for more than 40 acres to the west side of Quincy village.

The commission also turned down a plan to adjust employee pay schedules after it created an issue by abolishing the much-maligned Tier II pay scale. The vote was 4-1.

Unanimously, the commission rejected requests to reclassify employees or pay raises in the treasurer's office, the county clerk, the public defender, and the sheriff's department's administrators.

Commissioner Leonard Kolcz said, "Every public comment that we've had was against the annexation. And I'm pretty sure it was all because of a concern of cannabis."

Developer Ian Bernard wanted to annex 41.3 acres he owns west of the Quincy village limits. Quincy Township officials were concerned it could allow for more marijuana grow operations, since the property is adjacent to a planned grow facility.

Township resident Jennifer Wortz told commissioners there is an alternative to annexation "through a PA425 agreement with the village. That will still allow development using the village's water and sewer lines. That would ensure from the view of the township and its constituents that there would be no growth of marijuana facilities on that property."

Kolcz said he is not against marijuana, but after looking at the issue, he felt the better place in Quincy for grow operations was on the village's east side. He noted Bernard would not guarantee not to allow any marijuana operations on the annexed land.

Commissioner Randall Hazelbaker asked about the threat of a lawsuit if the county did not approve the annexation, as village attorney Chuck Lillis said could happen.

County Administrator Bud Norman said the county's legal staff said the only suit could come if the county failed to act.

"After you make that decision, whether it's to approve it or disapprove it, then he does not see a means inside" the law to support a lawsuit.

Commissioners Kolcz, Tom Matthew, and Tim Stoll voted to deny annexation. Hazelbaker and Jon Houtz voted in favor.

Commissioner also voted not to adjust pay scales after eliminating the Tier II lower starting pay scale. The change begins July 1.

Kolcz noted a problem with employees in the clerk's office and other departments.

"One that's been there for years. And another one that's been there for weeks," he said.

Both will make the same wage. "I think the person that has been here for four years should be raised by at least a one-year level. It makes a difference of 30 cents an hour or $12 a week."

Commissioner Jon Houtz said of the longer-serving employee, "they do get four weeks of vacation time. And the other benefits that come with it. Your person is getting more benefits."

Kolcz cast the only "no" vote.

Treasurer Steve Rutz requested an increase in pay for two employees. Matthew explained, "basing his request on the years of service of the employees and additional work they have been given."

For years the sheriff requested the reclassification of undersheriff Keith Eichler, jail administrator Fred Blankenship, and sole animal control officer Ernie Baker. The commission denied all.

Clerk Terry Kubasiak also requested reclassifying her four clerks because of additional duties. She said funds would come from the Concealed Pistol License funds now processed by her staff. These were denied.

Houtz suggested the raises and pay could be dealt with during union negotiations. Kubasiak noted none were union employees.

The public defender requested an increase for his administrative assistant and office secretary. These were denied. The state suggested the salaries were too low.

A county reclassification committee recommended reclassifying all the employees, except the 911 assistant director.

Chairman Tim Stoll said the county commission faced these reclassification requests in the past and denied them. "We'll revisit the wage scale and classification table. And we can work that into the budget for next year. I think that'd be a good thing for us to be working on. No disrespect intended to anybody that submitted the requests. It's just that I think it's tough to sift through some of that stuff. And I think it would be best if we take an overall look at everything."

Changes would not come then until 2024.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: County rejects Quincy annexation and pay adjustments/reclassifications