KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Last year when a few members of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners learned there were county staffers who were not earning a living wage, they wanted to reset the base pay at $15 per hour. They were told a wage study of all employees would be required first.
That study was finally presented this week, and Commissioner Jen Strebs was surprised and disappointed the consultant didn’t examine the $15 base pay proposal.
Consultant T.L. Cox warned the board about increasing their base pay without considering how it might affect the overall wage structure.
Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin says he has set aside $1 million to cover any wage hikes that result from the study, but commissioners say that won’t be enough to cover the consultant’s recommendations.
It appears that some hikes could come next year, but may have to be phased in over a period of time because of the estimate it could cost well over $1.5 million.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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