By Michael Schaffer

Managing editor

The Appanoose County Board of Supervisors approved pay increases for several county departments, but not as much as the County Compensation Board had recommended at their Nov. 24 meeting.

The Compensation Board voted to give the supervisors an additional $3,100 more per year, the county attorney $8,700, the recorder, auditor and treasurer each $5,400 and the sheriff $4,250. After much discussion, the supervisors voted 3-0 to give 55 percent of the board's recommendation.

Leading up to the vote, several department heads voiced their opinions.

Appanoose County Auditor Linda Demry said the county has maintained good financial status and could afford the full raises.

"I'm not asking for a money grab. I'm not," County Attorney Richard Scott said. "What the Compensation Board offered isn't out of line with other county attorneys."

Appanoose County Sheriff Gary D. Anderson said his deputies don't get shift differential or hazard pay and deal with issues the public wants to avoid.

"Yeah, I think they ought to be compensated for that," Anderson said.

Trying to get competent people in Appanoose County is difficult if you don't offer comparable salaries and benefits, he added.

"You just witnessed what I call a full-court press," Supervisors Chairman Dean Kaster said after most in the room had an opportunity to voice their opinion. "Well I'm going to make my decision based on what I know, not how I feel, but what I know for a fact."

Supervisor John Arnold said 55 percent of the Compensation Board's recommendation would equal a 4.3 percent pay increase for the sheriff's department and a 7.28 percent pay increase for the other departments.

The supervisors also approved by a 3-0 vote the secondary road union and non-union contracts, giving each a 4.1 percent wage increase. The union contract will increase wages 69 cents the first year, 71 cents the second year and 74 cents the third. The non-union contract is negotiated on a yearly basis.

The supervisors voted 3-0 to give the Appanoose County Community Railroad $100,000 to use to access federal match money for infrastructure improvements. The money would come from the economic development of the local option sales tax.

"If you give us like a $100,000 we can make that come back $400,000 in infrastructure repair," Appanoose County Community Railroad President Ray Cummins said. "For continued infrastructure repair so that we can support our existing factories and users."