Commissioners Court Again Struggles Over Unbudgeted Salaries

Tensions flared again at the Fayette County Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, Dec. 28, this time over unbudgeted raises proposed by County Judge Dan Mueller.

Mueller requested an additional raise for the employees in the County’s permitting and inspections office that was not included in the 2024 County Budget. The budget that Commissioners approved last summer included a five percent raise for most County employees, including the permitting and inspections department. EMS and Sheriff’s Office employees received higher raises.

Last Thursday, Mueller asked the Court to approve a seven percent raise for the two employees in the permitting and inspections office. The permitting and inspections office handles matters related to land development and subdivisions in unincorporated areas of the County, which includes wastewater permitting, floodplain management and enforcement of the County’s subdivision regulations.

“We know we are blessed with excellent County employees – above and beyond,” Mueller said. “We can say that about every department. We have seen significant demand on the permitting and inspection department. I think it would be appropriate to do that.”

The raises would cost the County an additional $2,708 – a relatively small amount compared to the County’s total annual budget of about $31 million. Mueller proposed paying for the raises with unused salary funds in the Commissioners Court budget.

“Isn’t it a little too late?” Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff asked the Judge at Thursday’s meeting. “Why didn’t you ask for this during the budget cycle?”

“Interestingly enough, as you said, we’ve seen significant growth and property divisions,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. “Judge, you’re a big reason for this. Look at all the properties you’ve divided. Now we’re going to give them a raise. They’re great employees, don’t get me wrong. But there’s a whole lot of other good employees in other departments.”

Prior to taking office last year, Mueller had been involved in numerous real estate divisions that were subject to approval through the County’s permitting and inspections office. He and his business partners developed rural acreage into residential homesites. During his election campaign, Mueller pledged to refrain from the real estate business while holding office as County Judge, and he has done so. The permitting and inspections office reports that Mueller’s last subdivision request was in 2022, the year before he took office.

The exchange sparked a moment of awkward tension in the meeting room. EMS Director Josh Vandever got up and left.

“I will say that this is the first year (permitting and inspections) were in their own department,” said Court Administrator Cassie Austin. “Last year they were in the Commissioners Court department, which is where that money is.”

“Since it wasn’t brought up during the budget cycle like we normally do, should we just, say, leave it the way it is this year and next year try to do more for them?” asked Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann.

“It needs to happen during the budget,” McBroom said. “Judge, you’re the chief budget officer of the County and now you’re saying you forgot to do this.”

“I wouldn’t say I forgot to do it,” Mueller said. “But you’re probably right. I should have done it earlier. But we can do what Commissioner Brossmann just suggested. We can look at it the next budget time.”

No one on the court made a motion to approve or deny the request. Had it come up for a vote, Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel would have abstained since his son is one of the two employees in the permitting and inspections office.

Commissioners ultimately decided to take no action on Mueller’s request.

It was the second time in as many weeks for the Court to struggle over unbudgeted salary expenses. Two weeks ago the Commissioners reached an impasse when County Auditor Cindy Havelka requested a new salaried position in her office that was not included in the 2024 County Budget.

Two key employees in the Auditor’s Office had been absent due to serious illness with no indication on when they might return. Havelka said she needed the extra position to help with payroll.

Havelka proposed paying for the new position with funds from the County’s contingency fund. McBroom and Berckenhoff supported Havelka’s request. Sternadel and Brossmann opposed the plan to pay for the position with emergency reserves. Judge Mueller was absent from that meeting, and the Commissioners decided to defer action on the request.

Since that time, one of the sick employees passed away. Commissioners revisited the item last Thursday and took no action since there is no longer a need for the extra position.