Franklin County Council's three-day budget workshop continued after lunch on the first day with budget presentations by the county's department heads.

Following brief presentations from county clerk Neysa Raible and prosecutor Chris Huerkamp, both of which pleaded for staff pay increases, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency director Amy Lindsey requested a series of purchases.

Lindsey budgeted for five new 800 mhz radios. Lindsey has two old radios in her office, which are no longer supported for parts and maintenance. With five new radios, she would be able to more effectively split volunteers into teams and still maintain communication during an emergency or training exercise. Lindsey requested a part-time deputy director, which would be paid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant that currently pays part of her salary. 

A building maintenance request was made in the amount of $4,200 to address the condition of the old EMA office in the basement of the annex. While Lindsey now operates out of the Franklin County Government Center, she utilizes the old office for storage and has plans to convert it into an emergency training center. The basement office maintains a high level of humidity with a variety of fungal growths and is in need of significant repair. 

A motor vehicle line was added with a total of $45,000, which would include lights and equipment. Lindsey noted she also submitted a request to fund a vehicle out of the county's American Recovery Plan Act funds. Lindsey reported on the grant funding she has brought in, almost $600,000 and potential for another $325,000 this fall; however, grant funding comes with strings attached, none of which allow the requested purchases.

Council member Brian Patterson inquired about the specifics of the basement EMA office, noting concern of the potential for mold contamination in a public building and the need to address it immediately and thoroughly. 

The assessor's office requested payroll increases with a request for part-time funding to train new employees to replace expected retirements and a 36 percent increase in first deputy pay.

Franklin County treasurer Jolene Beneker reported recently returning from a state-wide conference where the low-pay of county employees statewide was discussed, prompting the state to commission a wage study. She requested a 40-hour workweek in her office, up from the current 32.5 hours, and either an additional full-time employee or an increase in part-time funding. Beneker currently has a part-time job posted at $14 and hour and has been unable to find a suitable applicant; a full-time ad may bring better applications. 

Patterson asked if the office was open four days per week. Beneker replied her office is open the 32.5 hours per week her staff is allotted in four days each week. Beneker shared she worked a part-time job last year in addition to her role as treasurer, but would prefer to work 40 hours in her office. Patterson asked if 40 hours would open the office five days per week; she replied it would. He asked if the office was supposed to be open the same hours as the building is open. Beneker replied she discussed it with county commissioners, who told her she can set the hours for her office. She explained due to the limited hours her staff can work, she often comes in on evenings and weekends in order to ensure work is completed.

Patterson spoke in support of a 40-hour workweek for full-time employees and eliminating the part-time employees. Council member Scott McDonough asked if Beneker could run her office if she and her first deputy working 40 hours would eliminate the need for additional part-time help. Beneker replied internal controls in her office requires the signature of two individuals to verify payment accuracy; reducing the headcount would make that difficult. There are times now when she is alone in the office and has had to call for help from the auditor's office across the hall to verify payments. 

Franklin County Health Department supervising nurse Nanette Beres has been working closely with the auditor's office, preparing her first budget since taking over the helm of the department. Beres has reviewed the grants the department is receiving and how to best utilize those funds, which includes additional staff and neglected vehicle maintenance. 

Franklin County auditor Karla Bauman echoed Beneker's request for a 40-hour workweek, noting some of her office's employees have taken part-time jobs. 

After the completion of department head presentations, Reedy Financial Group gave a review of the current deficits in the budget and options on employee pay raises for council to consider in the upcoming line-by-line review of the 2023 proposed budget.