Plymouth County Compensation Board Recommends A Six Percent Salary Increase For County Elected Officials
(Le Mars) — Recently, the Plymouth County Compensation Board met to decide elected officials salaries, and to offer a suggestion to the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors as to how much of a salary increase should be given to county elected officials. Bruce Brock serves as chairman of the county compensation board, and appeared before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors and informed the county governing board the compensation board’s recommendations.
Brock explained to the County Supervisors why the six percent increase was considered and being recommended. He says statistics show that is the amount for cost-of-living expenses.
When considering the sheriff’s and the county attorney’s salaries, Brock mentions there were other factors to consider. Brock says the new “Back the Blue” law gave some additional directions.
With regards to the sheriff’s salary, the compensation board is recommending the six percent salary increase, as with other county elected officials, but they wanted to include an additional $8,000 in addition to the six percent increase.
The county compensation board chairman informed the county supervisors what the new proposed sheriff’s salary would look like.
Brock explained to the county supervisors, similar action was taken when considering the salary of the county attorney’s position.
Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer Current Salary $75,559.66
Plus 6% Increase $ 4,533.58
Total Salary $80,093.24
Sheriff Current Salary $104,294.36
Plus 6% Increase $ 6,257.66
Comparison Bonus $ 8,000.00
Total Salary $118,552.02
County Attorney Current Salary $126,757.11
Plus 6% $7,605.43
Comparison Bonus $14,000.00
Total Salary $148,362.54
Supervisors Current Salary $35,735.68
Plus 6% $2,144.14
Total Salary $37,879.82
*The figures represent the salaries if approved by the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors.
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will take the salary recommendations by the County Compensation Board under consideration, but they are not obligated to follow the salary increase suggestions. In the past few years, the county supervisors actually approved a smaller salary percentage increase for elected officials than what was recommended by the Compensation Board.
Main Street Awards Checks To Three Local Organizations Through The “Shop For A Cause” Promotion
LE MARS – Three local organizations were awarded checks on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 23 as part of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Shop for a Cause promotion.
Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 11, customers at the local retailers were able to purchase a Shop for a Cause Card offering special discounts for $5 at any of the 17 participating businesses. As part of the program, customers could select one of three nonprofits – the Le Mars Backpack Program, the Le Mars Arts Center, and the Le Mars Public Library – in which their $5 donation would benefit.
Le Mars MainStreet Director Lori French extended a thank you to the 17 participating businesses – Hotopp Jewelry & Gifts, Claussen’s, Bling-N-Fashions, Brown’s Century Theater & Gift Shoppe, Cork It!, Get Branded 360, Habitue Coffeehouse, Joba’s Décor & Gifts, Lily Zita Boutique, McDonald’s, P’s Pizza House, Pizza Hut, Premier Communications, Shop Cary, Sugar-N-Spice, Sunshine Natural Foods, and the Wash House.
French says, “We have a great group of local business owners who see the value of working together and making wonderful things happen in Le Mars.”
The Le Mars Backpack Program was the top recipient of the donations and was awarded a check for $1,390.
The Le Mars Library was awarded a total of $530, and the Le Mars Arts Center received $430. Total donations exceeded last year’s giving by $300.
French says, “The Main Street Promotions Committee has done this holiday promotion for many years, and the community has always been very generous. I would also like to mention that we could not have made this happen without the support of our local banks. They are committed to the excellence and growth of Le Mars.
“We want to thank American Bank, Iowa State Bank, Northwest Bank, MidStates Bank, and Primebank for their contributions and support of the Main Street Program,” French concluded.
Iowa Teachers Fed Up With School Fights
(Des Moines, IA) — The president of the Iowa State Education Association says teachers are being kicked, beaten, spit on, pushed into lockers – and they’re fed up. The state agency reports 650 students were expelled or removed from school due to fights that caused injuries last school year. The number of violent fights is up – way up. I-S-E-A President Mike Beranek says several teachers have already said they plan to leave their jobs at the end of this year before their contracts are up. He says a legislative package is being put together to present to lawmakers next month. It would include funding for smaller class sizes and mental health resources. Beranek says there are currently 13 hundred jobs open in Iowa schools.
Muscatine Police Arrest Hit And Run Suspect
(Muscatine, IA) — Muscatine police have arrested an 18-year-old hit and run suspect. Police were called to the Muscatine High School a week ago for an accident at about 3:30 p-m. The driver involved left before officers arrived. Those officers were told that a person contracted by the school was trying to direct Rudy Rada when Rada accelerated his vehicle and hit the person. Rada has been charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without a valid driver’s license.
Ankeny Woman Loses Her Home After Car Crashed Into It – Starting A Fire
(Ankeny, IA) — An Ankeny woman tells police she was asleep in her bedroom when a car exploded in her living room. Jo Ellen Myers lost her home and belongings when that car crashed into her home Monday at about 1:00 a-m and started a fire. Police are still investigating how the crash happened. Myers says she lost everything and is homeless now, but she’s just happy that she and her granddaughter are okay. Two juveniles who jumped out of the car and tried to run away were captured, but the search continues for the driver.
