County non-union and elected officials get raise

Posted: 1/6/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved cost of living increases of three percent for its non-union and elected officials at its December 30 meeting.

This increase is consistent with settlements reached with the four unions represented in the county, according to Tim Comstock, the county personnel/central services director, who recommended the settlement.
Comstock also advocated step advancements of one and two percent for 19 employees to keep their wages competitive.

ìWeíre trying to retain people and attract quality people,î Comstock said.
The board approved the recommendations. Commissioner Ann Thompson praised department heads for keeping individual budgets as low as possible. ìI would hate to see us stop that progress,î she said. ìYou start losing those [people], itís going to cost you more in the long run.î

The commissioners did not take a salary increase. Their salaries will remain at $16,224 for regular meetings. Thompson called that a symbolic gesture.
First district commissioner Larry Graf called 2003 the toughest budget year of his 11 years on the board.

Recycling update
Rick Frank, director of environmental services (formerly zoning and solid waste) told the board that February 1 is the target date to get the new recycling program in place. He said he will be running ads in local newspapers and including information with tax statements.

The board approved restructuring the zoning and solid waste department at its December 23 meeting. They eliminated the position of recycling coordinator held by Nick Nichols, and agreed to a recycling contract with Waste Management in La Crosse. The change is expected to save the county $50,000 and $70,000 in 2004.
Under the new system, residents will put fiber products like cardboard, magazines, and newspapers in one container, and rigid items like plastic, glass, aluminum, and tin in another container.

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