For the third consecutive month, employee compensation and benefits dominated discussion at the Baxter County Quorum Court meeting Tuesday evening.
When the meeting concluded, the court had approved three employee-related measures —
• a $2 per hour increase in full-time employee compensation effective March 13 ;
• a restoration of expanded paid time off (PTO) for all county employees by overriding Judge Mickey Pendergrass’ veto last month; and
• the establishment of a $1 million employee liability fund.
The increase in hourly compensation for the county’s employees comes with an annual price tag of $612,332 and was given unanimous approval in under two minutes with no discussion.
It was the consideration of the veto override that brought the most discussion.
In a rare move, Judge Pendergrass vetoed an ordinance passed in January by the quorum court regarding PTO for county employees. The court’s action in January to expand PTO for all employees followed the justices having earlier approved expanded paid leave and vacation time solely for certified law enforcement personnel.
After almost 20 minutes of discussion, the court voted to override the veto, with JP Dennis Frank casting the lone dissenting vote.
In other action, the court unanimously approved —
• a resolution declaring a vacancy in District 3 following the resignation in January of JP Robert “Bob” Lowery;
• an appropriation of $20,000 for upgraded security cameras at the court complex; and
• an ordinance appropriating funding for a jailer position.
The court tabled to its April meeting final action on a new personnel policy manual for county employees.
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