By Tracy Ouellette
The East Troy Village Board heard budget presentations for operations and capital improvements at its Aug. 1 meeting.
Village Administrator Eileen Suhm asked the board for direction on the annual updated salary structure. In a memo to the board, she said the current wage assumptions in the operational budget sat at 2.5% adjustment to salary schedule for inflation/cost of living and a 2.5% increase for employees within performance range.
“As you are aware, inflation this year has been high,” Suhm wrote in the memo. “As expected, we are seeing higher increase assumptions. I believe the 2.5% is low and was included based on last year’s assumptions. I am seeing chatter in the Wisconsin City Manager’s Association indicating 4%-6% is a range being considered by numerous municipalities in the state.
“This year is also a negotiation year for the union so we do not know what that agreed-upon amount will be. I am seeking direction from the Board for the assumptions above,” she continued. “My recommendation is to increase the assumptions to 4% and set aside contingency funds for any adjustments due to the market update. If we need to adjust as we get further into operations budgeting, we can make necessary adjustments. These are preliminary numbers and not a promise or guarantee these will be final increase amounts.”
Village Trustee Matt Johnson said he wanted to see a 6% increase because he thought 4% wouldn’t be enough. Trustee Forty Renucci agreed, saying he was going to recommend setting it at 4% but being prepared for 6%.
For the full story, see the East Troy Times or News.
