Paying more for some La Crosse County workers

Some employees of La Crosse County could get a pay raise in next year’s budget.

The county is preparing to extend a contract for sheriff’s deputies and increase the pay for highway workers.

County administrator Steve O’Malley says both measures could help attract new employees, and keep ones already on the job.

“Frankly the deputies (said) we needed to keep pace with other law enforcement agencies,” O’Malley said. “And, in the highway area, we’ve just had so much turnover because, again, the private sector pays better than the public sector, and we’re just trying to retain employees.”

The highway department raise would be 1.2 percent and deputies could get a base adjustment, along with 1.75 percent yearly increases.

The raises could be approved when the 2019 budget comes up for a vote by the county board next month. The deputies could see raises if they get a three-year extension on the contract that’s about to expire at the end of the year.

The sheriff’s department increases could mean an extra $69,000 in wages next year, plus $32,000 for the highway staff.

O’Malley says there would still be a decrease in tax rates for the average county resident.