KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Some Kalamazoo County Employees will be in for another raise after the New Year, especially those with the lowest salaries.
Essential workers have already gotten a big COVID bonus from ARPA Funds for working through the worst of the pandemic. Now the additional pay hikes will be the result of an extensive study of the County’s pay scale that showed many of them were not competitive.
Seeing how low pay has led to employee defections and trouble finding replacements, County Administrator Kevin Catlin plans to combine a million dollars from the general fund with a million from COVID relief funding.
“Implementing the study to 100% would allow the county to compete with our neighbors and serve as a way to say thank you to the employees who work very hard for this county,” said Catlin
While a priority of the board has been to make sure all employees are making a living wage, Catlin says his plan will do that too.
“Our recommendation from the administration would be to implement the wages on a scale to begin at a minimum of $15.00 an hour,” said Catlin.
He says without the extra ARPA funds, it might take years to bring salaries up to the level recommended by the Segal Study, with the actual pay increases depending on the position and how they are compared to similar jobs elsewhere. The County Board is scheduled to vote on the proposal tonight (Tuesday).
Reporting by: John McNeill
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