COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners were unable to approve a salary request Tuesday from Prosecutor Valerie White for her new felony clerk because of a difference in the top wage scale for two unions.
White wanted Christine Bennett’s pay rate frozen at her 911 level of $16.45 per hour until raises for the job equaled the frozen wage. She pointed out Bennett was a current county employee who transferred from 911 to the Prosecutor’s Office. White said she had the money in her budget, as Bennett’s rate of pay was less than the previous felony clerk.
Commissioner Don Vrablic said they could not approve the request because the top pay for the 911 union was not the same as the top pay for the GELC union that represents Prosecutor’s Office employees, and if the GELC rate is raised, the county could be looking at unfair labor practice charges.
In other business, District Court Administrator and Recorder Sarah Collins was honored for her 20 years of service to the county.
Commissioners were divided on who they wanted to fill a vacant position on the Branch County Commission on Aging Board. Three voted for James Webb to serve on the board while the other two voted for Dr. Dale Williams. Webb’s term will expire at the end of 2020.
