Marshall County Community Corrections Director Ward Byers addressed the Marshall County Council concerning a recent vote to freeze his salary.
The council voted in October, as part of a wage rate by category that received a unanimous recommendation from the personnel committee, to freeze his salary, as well as the sheriff’s salary and the salary of the full-time jail bookkeeper.
Byers said he is not upset that his pay was frozen.
Byers commented, “I’m not motivated by money. It’s the disrespect you’ve shown to the [Marshall County Community Corrections] Advisory Board. That’s a board that has the legal authority to set budgets for Community Corrections and has the legal authority to govern Community Corrections. Not only does that board review it, but there’s another 21-member board in Indianapolis, the Department of Corrections, that go over these budgets and make their recommendations and their approval. I understand that this board has the legal authority to do that as well.”
He asked the council to discuss that type of action with the Marshall County Community Corrections Advisory Board in the future.
“Ask their opinion, discuss with them before you freeze budgets of employees before you cut money out of a User Fee fund that has zero to do with your General Fund. I understand you have a purpose behind it. There was probably a reason behind it and I’m sure your Wage Committee has done extensive work to come to the decisions you have made,” said Byers.
The council approved the wage rate by category during their meeting Monday, October 11 which included the three frozen salaries. The council voted 6-1 to approve that proposal with Council President Tim Harman opposed.
