Supervisors discuss compensation board concerns and options

By Zach Jensen,

Thursday, August 1, 2024 2:09 pm

Decorah attorney Jim Burns shares the functions of the county compensation board Monday morning with the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors. (Decorah Leader Photo by Zach Jensen)

A new state policy dissolved all county compensation boards as of July 1 — State File 2442 was signed into law by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 1 and authorizes the state’s county boards of supervisors to determine whether they want to rely on a county compensation board or take compensation responsibilities upon themselves. The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors met Monday with longtime Winneshiek County Compensation Board member Jim Burns to discuss their options. Ultimately, rather than make an immediate decision during its meeting, the supervisors agreed to table decision on the issue until after September, allowing time for the board to confer with other northeast Iowa county supervisors.

Burns said the board, which is comprised of members from the area business community, meets once a year to consider compensation for county employees.

“The office holder has previously had a written presentation about what they’ve been doing and what they think is pertinent,” Burns said. “And, then they follow up with an oral presentation and any questions and answers. Following those presentations, the board meets and discusses what recommendations to make to (the board of supervisors).”

The compensation board is an advisory board only, and the supervisors are legally able to reject the compensation board’s recommendations — although that doesn’t typically happen. 

Full article is available in the August 1 Decorah Leader.

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