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By anonymous

May 10, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

there’s no union in the probation dept. what there is are people with master’s degrees making entry level salarys, people with little or no experience who are related or know some county official who have been hired, or “re-hired” making a lot more money. it’s a dangerous, stressful job, and the managers give out raises based on who they like personally. the morale is awful, the managers hire certain “types” of people and only those that hang out with certain people or are conected get any raise

By Get Real

May 10, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

I amazed at some of the comments where people don’t even check things out. Raises are worked out with the union, signed off by the agency, union and then commissioners. In the now famous words of Commissioner Furmon, “Maybe we should of checked that out a little closer” We been hearing that a lot from him. Also notice how all this public revelation is from Commissioner Dixon, he needs to look like the good guy to get elected in Nov. Remember everything they do is to get elected.

By anonymous

May 10, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

the county is so messed up. the way raises are given out is rediculous. the probation department is a typical example. they hire people in promising big raises, then when the time comes, they tell you there’s no money in the budget. meanwhile, friends, relatives and those with connections are overpaid. people in probation aren’t paid fairly. those they ‘like’ are given special treatment, while those they don’t barely get anything, if at all. there’s no fairness at all.

By Expand Your View Beyond Your Own Universe

May 10, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

MondayLarry, et al – Read paragraph 4…then glimpse at the real world to grasp your predicaments: If your career hasn’t advanced, then despite hard work, you are on the downside/end of a wage curve by design. If you don’t see 7%, then good as few, ever do. If COL raises aren’t an addt’l factor, then welcome to the real world - only government really has that luxury. If bereavement is still paid, then enjoy as not all private sector jobs do. And, if you still don’t like it…again, welcome!

By Gerald Wood

May 10, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

THE ONLY PEOPLE WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE FIRST ARE THOSE GETTING THESE RAISES. THAT SHOULDN’T BE TO HARD, JUST LOOK AT PAYROLL HISTORY.

By LC

May 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

First, the average county employee has never seen a 7% raise.

Second, If the county is so strapped for money why do they CREATE positions for friends and family that pay more than “regular” employees who have “topped out”.

Third, Butler has been the fastest growing county in the state for more than ten years. That means more tax revenue than any other county in the state for Butler county. Where is this money going? (see above, see the Conklin story, and on, and on,)

By X tra hardworker

May 9, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Where do you folks get your info about the county pay raises being 7%? I have worked for the county for 15 years and haven’t seen that kind of raise. I also am tapped out so the only thing I get is the cost of living raise which we are lucky to get. It certainly isn’t enough to keep up with gas prices or food prices. Something no one mentioned here is that the county doesn’t give you funeral leave, it doesn’t matter if it’s your child, parents, siblings, etc. You have to take sick time.

By Confused

May 9, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

If the Commish decided to put a freeze on increases for ALL county employees, then why did they approve about 15 or more increases at the same meeting they put a freeze in place???? Check out the resolutions for the 5/8 meeting…..I guess we say “way to go” to the folks who had anniversaries prior to this meeting, and “sorry about your luck” to those whose anniversary falls after this meeting….And why is it fair for the Commish to get $75,000 or so per year for part-time work????

By bigdog

May 9, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

i heard bcdes has 1 manager supervisor etc. per 4.5 hourly employees, that just seems unbalanced

By bigdog

May 9, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

i think county water customers that they pay the about the highest rates in ohio for water and sewer but they always get good service from the county workers during off hours to make up for the high rates. but do they know that this week the excellent service was cut off by management to save money. so now your just paying high rates and dont call after hours because no one is on call any more. thankyou have a nice day and dont forget to pay your water bill

By bigdog

May 9, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

i find it funny that commisioner dixon is also a political put in i wonder if he is investigating himself.

By bigdog

May 9, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

i find it funny that commissioner dixon was a political put in also.

By bigdog

May 9, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

i find it funny that commissioner dixon was a political put in also.

By Inside Perspective

May 9, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget Marcus, that the county is not allowed to run like a business. We have to make room for all the political put-ins and family members that the Commish pushes off on us. This effects the way we do business and our bottom line. So lets not try to punish the excellent and qualified county employees that have to cover for these over paid and unqualified put-in’s. Let’s keep our eye on the ball and put the blame where it belongs….on the Commish and past Administrator.

By Joe

May 9, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

The same can be said for our county employees as you stated for our factory worker friend. If you do not like your job, resign and find another one. Every time I go to the county building, all I see is the smoking hut filled to capacity with our hard working public servants. I go to building and zoning often and I have never had a pleasant experience. The staff is rude and seems like they are doing me a favor by taking my money for a permit. I wonder how county workers have time to post here !

By To the misinformed

May 9, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a county employee for 7 years….. I’ve never received a 7% anual increase. To Dave: The cost of living has gone up to 5%…. we might be lucky if we get our 3% so what are you complaining about? You get 1/2 to 1% above right? Ron: And to all you “Taxpayers” that are paying our saleries, let us not forget that we county employees are also “taxpayers”. There’s no free ride here!!! Get your facts right before you lump all of us “government employees” into one basket.

By Charlie

May 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Some employees are overpaid, others are underpaid. Based on salaries posted in the newspapers, it’s evident that there are too many positions that are well overpaid at the higher level positions. Butler County could take a progressive and helpful position here by investigating outsourcing many of the functions now being performed. Even the presidential race has everyone talking about “change.” It seems as though only Don Dixon has the _alls to suggest that salary issues need to be addressed.

By "The Firm"

May 9, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

We should be grateful of Don Dixon…If he exposes the right folks and there crazy salaries, yeah. Don’t think our Commish’s earnings should be re-evalualted as well! 60K+ for a(one)scheduled meeting a month is a bit pricey as well. Dixon has his own agenda for self worth here as well. Water main to..Dixon properties = BIG $$$$

By haven'thadaraise

May 9, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I have worked for Butler County for almost ten years. I have not had a raise in four years due to being “topped out” of my payrange. I am making only three dollars more an hour then people being hired in. Someone should look at this because you have workers who haven’t had raises, have to pay for horrible insurance coverage, and we work without taking breaks or lunches and over our scheduled time without being paid. Believe me, we dont all make the big $$$ around here.

By "The Firm"

May 9, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

For Ron the factory worker. Don’t blame others for your lack to get an education or an equvilant skill trade…i.e. Electrician, HVAC, Pipe fitter…..we can’t help your in securities for such.

As for the whole picture….The fat needs to be trimmed in the upper to middle management levels. The hourly force was trimmed 8 years ago or so when departments were extremely heavy from the Jim Roth / Jim Hinchberger area and then some recieved lay offs.

By whatever

May 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

The only thing that you can count on when it comes to raises with the county is that they are always late. The majority of the county workers I know are over worked and under paid.

By JJ

May 9, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

I’m a county employee and I deserve my pay because I have to deal on a daily bais with the ill informed public like posters to this website.
Fact, only one county agency gives out the 3% followed by a 4% raises, the rest of us are lucky that some years we get 3% which doesn’t cover the cost we now pay for our health insurance. For most of us we have been losing take home pay for years while working for the county. The grass may look greener over hear, but trust me it’s not….

By ron

May 9, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I WORKED IN A FACTORY ALL MY LIFE AND PAID TAXES AND I NEVER COULD UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HELPING TO PAY THESE HIGH SALARES TO YHE COUNTY AND CITY EMPLOYES WHEN THE TAX PAYERS ARE MAKING A LOT LESS AND WHEN THEY RETIRE THERE RIGHT BACK DOING THE SAME JOB THEY RETIRED FROM NO WONDER UN EMPLOYMENT IS SO HIGH.

By John

May 9, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Yea, “Laughing” get your facts straight. Jim Hamblin was a Contingency Planner, the job now open is an Executive Assistant. Diffrent positions, you might also consider that Mr. Hamblin had been with the county for more than 12 years, thus even the position now posted will be paying that person considerable more in 12 years.

By Don't Judge Too Quickly 2

May 9, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

There have also been years when my husband’s department has received no raises due to budget or grant problems.
To the Commissioners: I’m glad you are concerned, but please don’t paint all county employees with the same brush and provide your citizens with some real facts. To the Journal: Please do some investigative reporting on this subject, so the public knows the real story and isn’t left thinking all county employees receive these ridiculous raises.

By aggravated too

May 9, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

I agree with “just plain aggravated”…not all county employees have received the 7% raises…some, myself included, have seen a decrease in pay over the years and increase in cost of health insurance. Please don’t lump everyone in the same “yacht”.

By Don't Judge Too Quickly

May 9, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I would love to know how many County employees receive 7% raises. My husband has worked for the county for the past 10 years, and has never seen anywhere near a 7% annual raise. He has received raises when he was promoted; promotions he earned by working hard and obtaining both a Bachelors’ and Masters’ degree. (And never got another raise after 120 days in the new job!)

By laughing

May 9, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Funny how Hamblin quit his job making $70,000 something and that same spot is posted on the Butler County web site topping out at $32,000 something. What a big difference. Yet Chuck Furmon had nothing to do with those raises.

By jj

May 9, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I know people who work for the county and most of them have never seen 7% raises. Talk about uneven raises. People in probation who don’t have college degrees and less experience making more money than those with colleges degrees and more experience. Mabey that has something to do with those people having connections to Mr. Fox. Yet all the time probation is being told that there is no money for raises.

By jj

May 9, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I know people who work for the county and most of them have never seen 7% raises. Talk about uneven raises. People in probation who don’t have college degrees and less experience making more money than those with colleges degrees and more experience. Mabey that has something to do with those people having connections to Mr. Fox. Yet all the time probation is being told that there is no money for raises.

By VietVet

May 9, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Ridiculous!I’ve been working for 36 + years for 8 different companies from P&G to IP to small companies like Crane Plastics and Black Clawson and have never heard of workers receiving 7% raises. (Unless it’s management bonuses)Raises usually hover in the 2-4% range, IF YOU”RE LUCKY, nowadays.Recently,companies have gotten more stingy about sharing the wealth with the workers.The people in gov. who are responsible for this blatant system of spending taxpayers money like this should be eliminated.

By Jim

May 9, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

When I read words like MANY, I wonder HOW MANY. That is the reason to wait for the report. The raises are not occurring. I am just suggesting that we don’t need to attack each other while we wait.

By MARCUS

May 9, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

IF THE CITY AND COUNTY RAN LIKE A BUSINESS, THEY WOULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS. THEY HAVE NO REASON TO BE EFFICIENT THE TAXPAYER JUST PAYS THE BILL

By Just plain aggravated

May 9, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

“County perks, benefits and pay raises” for who? I am a county employee and I didn’t get a 7% increase. What office was that who got it? Are they hiring? Our benefits are not that great either, health insurance is a joke. Take a poll of us little county employee people who are maxed out and don’t even get a pay raise anymore. SO it’s not all county employees, us little ones who do all the work are not compensated for it. It’s the big wigs w/ all the $. We little people are in the real world.

By Just plain aggravated

May 9, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

“County perks, benefits and pay raises” for who? I am a county employee and I didn’t get a 7% increase. What office was that who got it? Are they hiring? Our benefits are not that great either, health insurance is a joke. Take a poll of us little county employee people who are maxed out and don’t even get a pay raise anymore. SO it’s not all county employees, us little ones who do all the work are not compensated for it. It’s the big wigs w/ all the $. We little people are in the real world.

By West Chester Republican

May 9, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Jim – At face-value, your prudence call is reasonable, but given the following facts already presented, you’re a bit late and overprotective:

“MANY employees receive AUTOMATIC annual increases totaling 7%, ….plus AUTOMATIC 4% increases 120 days AFTER promotion (when they ALREADY received a raise for it). “

County leaders may be able to explain why, but the practice doen’t really demonstrate prudent management of tax payer monies does it? Hence, people’s venting now, and rightly so.

By Mary

May 9, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

We should be grateful that Don Dixon is “watching our back”… I’m not sure the Conklin debacle would have even been noticed were it not for Dixon watching out for us. Hopefully, he’ll keep being a tenacious watchdog for the county.

By Truthsayer

May 9, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Re: To Mr Andrew Hooper

That is a Hamilton City issue, not a County issue. Focus Dainelson, look eye!!!!

By Retired West Chester Exec

May 9, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Only in government would you see such egregious, wide-spread spending abuses as few, if any private entities would survive.

Dixon’s new and digging, but what about the fiduciary responsibilities of Conklin, Furmon, Fox and others? Those left should get the boot. Davis’s opinion means little as he’s a beneficiary, one who provides “safe-haven” for cronies’ employees. Contract issues? Fix them.

Plus, other benefit costs need review too - retirement, health care, vacation, etc.

By Jim

May 9, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

How about we wait until the report is in before we start tearing each other down? Why are we trying to make these decisions ahead of the people who are looking at (or for) the facts? Maybe, we should wait until there is a story about the raises other than “We want to look at what we are doing befrore we continue”. Prudence demands that we look before we continue leaping. Let’s look and stop leaping to conclusions.

By Andrew Hooper

May 9, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Maybe if the pay system wasn’t set up the way it is. We would still have neighborhood pools.

By Gunner

May 9, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

I am amazed at how quickly the public can turn on people. My wife works for the Board of Elections. They work, man they work like I have never seen anyone work before, 12 to 14 hour days 6 and 7 days a week are not unusual never stoping, In a 14 hour day they might get a 30 minute lunch break, and maybe a 15 minute break during the rest of the day. The 28 women in there get an average of 150 phone calls a day, and they take all of this with a smile on their face. Now we want to complain

By dave

May 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Annual 7 percent pay raise how do I get a job with the county. I work in the private sector and only get an annual increase that is 1/2 to 1 percent above the cost of living and it is not even guaranteed that I will get that if the company is hurting financially

By Hardworker

May 9, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

Free ride??????????? You come to the real world chick and walk a day in our shoes doing what we do, this is no free ride and most of us don’t make nearly enough for the amount of work that we have. Get a life….

By Dede

May 9, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this

Why should those people get automatic pay raises. They are no better than the rest of us. Welcome to the real world! The free ride is over.