Open Forum: County pay raise was 'absolutely stupid'

In regards to the wage increases, this is not the correct time to be giving wage increases to the people already making big money. It is absolutely ridiculous. All mentioned elected officials should not get an increase at all! Rachel Reabe Nystrom saying backing away from a compensation study making wages more fair, equitable and more affordable for county taxpayers would be a mistake is just an excuse to get a raise! Anyone who agrees to this increase is probably making too much money themselves.

We, the taxpayers, should get to vote on their wage increases. What do you think the outcome of that would be? How nice it would be if we could all decide on our own wage increases!! Do they understand that with their combined increase of almost $17,000, it could assist in paying the unemployment for the staff that will be fired or pay for the overtime for the existing staff that will have to work harder and longer hours? As mentioned in the paper, we are expecting more from the elected officials that is why they are getting the 3 percent increase. Also mentioned, you are expecting more from the existing staff, will they also get a 3 percent increase? Comment all you want, I will not agree with you. Actually, rather than describing it as absolutely ridiculous it's more like absolutely stupid.

Steve Borg

Brainerd