COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – It appears Branch County’s elected officials will be getting a small pay raise for 2016. That’s the recommendation that was made at yesterday’s working meeting of the County Board of Commissioners, which will take up the question at next week’s regular session of the County Commission.
County Administrator Bud Norman told the board the proposed 1.8% increase is in line with any recent raises passed along to union workers employed by the county. Last year, the raise was 2% and was their first salary hike since 2010. Branch County’s elected officials include the prosecutor, clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, Sheriff, drain commissioner, and surveyor along with the judges of the circuit, district, and probate courts.
The salary recommendation comes as county officials continue putting together their 2016 spending plan. Norman said on Thursday that it’s a hold the line budget proposal for next year and he expects some push back in coming weeks from several county departments who have indicated they can’t get by on the same funding that they’ve operated on this year.
