Kane County Board stresses: no raises next year

The second round of 2011 budget pitches by department heads saw the Kane County Board take on other elected officials for the first time. But the biggest questions arose for the budget of an elected official who didn't show up to provide answers.

Board members made it clear Thursday, union or no union, there should be no budgets showing raises in 2011.

Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham was a no-show for the interrogation of why his budget calls for 2.7 percent raises for nearly every employee and a request for more cash so employees could attend conferences.

"As a taxpayer, I can say that conferences and meeting expenses are a luxury," board member Cristina Castro said. "And are you hiring another person? Is that why there's a huge jump in salary?"

Overall, the clerk's office is requesting a 5 percent increase in salaries.

Cunningham's chief deputy, Jay Bennett, presented in Cunningham's place. He explained that increase accounts for the hiring of a new employee to replace a person who left during the county's early retirement buyout six months ago. It also presumes a 2.7 percent increase for union employees, who will negotiate a new contract in November.

"Come on," Castro said to that information. "Let's hold the line here."

Cheryl Pattelli, the county's finance director, then explained no budget should reflect a raise for union employees before a raise has even been negotiated.

County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said the message for the clerk's office and every other department is don't expect a raise in 2011.

"Why would you make the assumption to add a salary increase to your budget when basically we're kind of telling everyone not to do that?" McConnaughay asked Bennett.

"You want us to take it out? We'll take it out," Bennett said. "Then when we go through negotiations, we'll come back and put whatever (the raise) is back in."

County Board members made it clear their stance at the negotiating table will be no raises. McConnaughay said there are no raises for employees under the direct control of the county board. As an elected official, Cunningham runs his own department.

The board will hear budget presentations from the remaining departments next week.

Raises: Increase is for expected union contract, chief deputy says