A handful of part-time county employees could be getting pay raises following Monday action by the Starke County Council. They agreed to create a “skilled part-time” wage classification as part of the salary ordinance.
The issue was first raised by Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley when she requested a pay increase for her election clerk. Cooley says it’s a 32.5-hour-per-week position, but since it’s considered part-time there are no insurance benefits or paid time off.
The skilled part-time classification also includes cooks at the Starke County Jail. The commissioners set the starting wage for skilled part-time employees at $10.13 per hour, which can go up to $12.13 per hour after 90 days at the discretion of the supervisor.
Council members note the policy only applies to a few employees. They do not anticipate a major budgetary impact as a result of the new policy.
