A two-percent wage increase was approved for Washington County employees by the board of supervisors at yesterday’s meeting. The supervisors however, did not approve the departmental wage recommendations across the board. Supervisor Jack Seward stated the proposed increases for the county’s jailers were unacceptable, because they were more than the two-percent directive. Sheriff Jerry Dunbar explained he has been working to get jailers’ wages at a fair level, comparable to area counties’ pay rates; for example Louisa, Jefferson, Iowa and Lee counties have higher rates. Dunbar has been using a pay scale to help increase the pay rates; he would like to start jailers at $14.34 per hour.

County Attorney Larry Brock explained longevity pay is up to the board of supervisors to decide. Supervisor Bob Yoder said the problem is keeping employees with rates that aren’t competitive. Seward added he is willing to fine tune rates and discuss them at a later date.

The supervisors voted unanimously to approve the rates as presented except for the 13 jailers at the sheriff’s office, who will receive only the two-percent increase.