Tag Archives: Ben Rodgers

The Putnam County Budget Committee voted Thursday night to consider a new employee pay plan which would top out salaries faster. The idea: to improve retention and increase wages. The plan gets employees to their top pay by year ten for emergency services, 15 for all other county jobs. It also incorporates the marketplace adjustments suggested by the recently-completed wage ... Read More »

Putnam County’s recently conducted salary study revealed that the county is generally behind on paying county employees for many positions. That’s according to Commission Budget Chair Ben Rodgers. He said the report compared the county to similar-sized counties and to jobs in the private sector. Rodgers said while both are issues, he is more concerned with how the county shapes ... Read More »

Putnam County and the 13th Judicial District will get a new Circuit Court Judge September 1 to help with increased workload. Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Wilkerson told the County Budget Committee Thursday night said that means a new expense to the county. “It’ll be another court date, another judge, more dockets, and more jury trials,” Wilkerson said. “I ... Read More »

Putnam County Commissioners will start to piece together a budget this week as they begin meetings with department heads about what the needs are. Commission Chair Ben Rodgers said they will start with the sheriffs department which could be ready to open the justice center expansion by the end of the new fiscal year. “We’re not sure the timeline yet ... Read More »

The Putnam County Budget Committee recommended building the upper grade wing of the new Park View School Monday and did it without a property tax increase. The full commission will consider a $16.5 million 25-year bond in a special called meeting next week. The funding option was presented by Mayor Randy Porter. It delays the interest and principal payments a ... Read More »

The Putnam County Commission will hold a special called meeting sometime in December to consider funding the 5-8th grade wing of the new Park View School. During a Fiscal Review Committee meeting Monday night, Director of Schools Corby King presented a quote that would require an additional $16.5 million. Commission Chair Ben Rodgers said the county’s budget committee will have ... Read More »

After considering two proposals, the Putnam County Budget Committee voted Thursday recommending a plan that increases emergency service worker salaries by $5,000. All other county employees will receive a $3,000 salary increase. Committee Chair Ben Rodgers said he would like to give more, but it’s all the county can afford considering other requests. “I feel like this commission has done ... Read More »

Putnam County Commission Budget Chair Ben Rodgers said he’s hopeful about what the new school funding formula means for the county. Putnam County School System Director Corby King presented information about the funding formula to the County Commission Monday night. Rodgers said that under the new formula, the county should be in good budget shape for the next five years ... Read More »

The Putnam County Redistricting Committee will explore three possible options to bring before the county commission. One plan is to maintain the current 12 districts with two commissioners each. County Technical Assistance Service Consultant Ben Rodgers said that the other two options affect both county commission size and school board size. “Seven commission districts, three commissioners per district,” Rodgers said. “Which would ... Read More »

The idea of spending COVID relief funding on pay raises and new hires have been discussed as ways to fill positions. However, County Government Consultant Ben Rodgers said American Rescue Plan and ESSER funding should address long-term goals, without reoccurring costs. Rodgers said the funding will not be there in a few years, bringing repercussions for trying to solve short-term ... Read More »