WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County Commissioners gave themselves a 3 percent raise for 2008.
At their meeting Tuesday, the commissioners set their base salary at $28,140.
County Administrator Larry Kleindl recommended the raise, saying it would be "in line" with the 3 percent cost-of-living increase non-union county employees are receiving in 2008.
Although no union contracts have yet been settled, Kleindl said a 3 percent increase is also being proposed for the union contracts.
The commissioners will also receive a $70 stipend for attending committee meetings. That's the same rate they currently receive. Commissioners may not collect more than one stipend per day.
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"I think this is fair," said Commissioner Richard Larson.
Starting Jan. 1, the commissioners will also be reimbursed for mileage at 55.5 cents a mile, which is the same reimbursement rate as county employees and is the new standard established by the IRS.
In other action:
- The Board of Commissioners met with the managers of the county parks to discuss policies, job descriptions, proposed short-term and long-term improvements and camping rates for daily fees and 30- to 90-day stays. No formal action was taken, but a consensus was reached to increase the camping fees at all the parks. Even with the increases, Kleindl said the parks are a "good bargain" and are comparable to other parks in the state.
- The commissioners approved license renewals for five solid waste haulers. The license for Willmar City Sanitation was contingent upon the company paying its past-due bills to the county landfill. If it fails to meet the requirement within three months, it will be allowed to use the county landfill on a cash-only basis.
- Contracts for police protection between the county Sheriff's Department and the cities of New London, Pennock and Raymond were approved. The county provides services to Spicer, but the city had not yet returned the contract. The fees for the two-year contract are increasing 5 percent for a new rate of $36.75 an hour.
