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The county commissioners wanted a legal recommendation as to the proper procedure to make the recorder of deeds a full-time position. It was unknown if a simple motion could be made to finalize the decision. In addition, commissioners said they were unsure as to where to set the salary for the new full-time position.
Currently, Jerri Jordan serves as the circuit clerk ex officio recorder. If the county commission creates a full-time recorder of deeds position, it's expected Jordan would seek another term as circuit clerk.
It's likely the recorder's salary will be $49,500, the same amount paid to the county clerk, assessor, collector and treasurer, according to commissioners. "We want everyone to be comfortable and do it the right way," Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said regarding the decision to delay a vote.
Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright remarked he was not in favor of approving a salary for a new elected position within the county until the commissioners formally approved the split.
"I don't think the salary commission can vote on a position we don't have," he said. "I think you're voting for a position that doesn't exist."
It was the commissioner's intent to change the recorder of deeds to a full-time position when the construction of a new county administration building is completed. Had the commissioners kept Jordan in charge of both departments, it would have forced her to run departments in two separate buildings located more than a mile apart.
Though unrelated, officials anticipate the switch from its current status as a third-class county to a second-place county to occur officially when the next governor's election is held in 2012.
At this time, the county is in its fourth straight year of exceeding $450,000,000 in real estate and personal property valuations. Once the fifth year is met - not expected to be a problem since the 2009 assessment was $521,117,840 - the county will be notified by the state auditor's office about the change in classification.
As a result of the change, the county anticipates an auditor position will need to be added in 2011.
Regarding salaries, elected officials received a 10 percent bump two years ago.
Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage felt a increase in pay for elected officials would be a bad move considering county employees did not receive a pay increase when the 2009 budget was approved.
Currently, the county is around 8 percent short of budgeted revenue in the general and law enforcement funds, according to Treasurer Gene Cornell. He said the shortfall figures to be around $341,000.
"This is a very inopportune time to even think about it," Cornell said about increasing salaries. "There isn't any way you can justify it."
Should the salary commission elect to increase or reduce salaries, only the positions up for election next year - presiding commissioner, county clerk, treasurer and collector - would be affected. The remaining offices would see their salaries change the following year when they are up for election.
Wright suggested the salary commission had three options to consider. He said members could keep salaries the same, reduce them or provide a cost of living increase.
The salary commission, which meets in odd-numbered years, is comprised of the county clerk, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county commissioners collector, treasurer, assessor, public administrator and coroner.
All of the elected officials' salaries are set by the commission with the exception of the prosecutor and public administrator which are set by state statute.
