Commission splits on longevity pay for two elected officials

By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – Providing longevity pay for retiring elected officials divided the Linn County Commissioners as they debated whether to follow policy or show their appreciation for elected officials for lengthy terms.

Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz

At the July 28 commission meeting, Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz turned in her notice for retiring in October and respectfully asked that she be allowed to receive her 2025 longevity pay. Schmitz became emotional during her announcement and Commissioner Alison Hamilton rose from her chair, walked over and hugged Schmitz. Commissioner Jason Hightower asked about making a motion but Commission Chair Jim Johnson continued the meeting.

On Aug. 4, Johnson and Hightower agreed to wait until the next meeting when

Hamilton was present to make the decision about longevity. At the Aug. 4 meeting, County Clerk Danielle Souza told commissioners that Linn County Treasurer Janet Kleweno has been an elected official for eight years and has worked for the county for a total of 37 years as a full-time employee.

Souza said that Kleweno is also asking that the commission consider her request for longevity pay also.

Schmitz, who has been in charge of the Register of Deeds office for 20 years also has worked with Master Gardeners to add landscaping and flowers to the courthouse lawn for the past several years.

At the commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, Hamilton asked if the other commissioners had any problems with paying the longevity pay.

Johnson said that after hearing the explanation of longevity pay in the as written in the employee handbook and the way it works, he said it seems employees should work until the end of the year to receive the longevity pay.

Souza repeated the handbook information she had presented at the previous meeting, “Our handbook policy says that longevity is given to an individual who is employed the entire year from January to December. The dollar amount is set by the commission and they get that amount per consecutive years of service to the county.”

Souza added, “In addition to that we also have a retirement gift that we give to retirees from the county and it is equivalent to the longevity they would have received.”

Johnson asked, “So, it’s $25 a year, right?”

Souza answered, “That is correct. That’s what it’s been historically.”

“The way I feel about it is, it’s just like our point system with the health savings plans,” Johnson said, adding that if employees don’t meet guidelines, they don’t get the health savings plan. “If we have a deadline, a date to do it, I don’t see that we can bend it for one and not everybody.”

Johnson said he thought of the longevity pay as something at the end of the year.

Souza explained that since this request deviated from the policy was the reason the the commissioners had to make a decision.

Hightower said, “Because I stated my position as being I think that Kristy and Janet have both given a great amount of service to the county and that if we were going to do it that those would be two people I would be willing to do it for.”

Souza added that Kleweno’s longevity pay would be $925 and Kristy’s would be $500.

Hamilton asked if that include the $25 for this year. Souza said it would.

“They’re not eligible for it until December is what is says. And we had people with as many years of service retire that didn’t get it,” said Johnson.

“For example, David (Lamb) retired in February and he did not get longevity pay,” said Souza, adding that he did get a retirement bonus.

“He got his $25 for each year,” said Johnson.

“It would be better for our budgeting process and things of that nature if they go ahead and retire in October as they’ve planned,” said Hightower. “I’m saying within their departments, like we don’t have Janet on the payroll for the last four months.”

“But you have the new person,” said Johnson.

Hightower answered, “Correct but she’s already working here. You know, we’re going through our succession planning. We’ve done our transition. That’s why Janet is still here.”

Hightower continued, “But I mean it’s so that we can have that succession plan so that we can make sure that things are working in that office and things that are need to be done are getting done and transferred.”

Hamilton pointed out, “Janet didn’t have a choice on when she had to retire though.

Souza said that was correct and explained, “But because of when the budget closes for the treasurer’s department in the state of Kansas that’s why they have a different rotation.”

Hamilton said, “But they both probably knew about it or they wouldn’t have brought it to us. I feel a little differently about Janet, to be honest with you, because of the dates. Do you feel differently on the one or no? Just because she wasn’t given a choice when her term is ended.”

Hightower asked, “So you’re saying we stick to the policy? Is that what you’re saying?

Hamilton said, “Stick to the policy is what I’m saying.  I was just making a note that Janet didn’t have an opportunity to resign in December. That wasn’t a choice for her. So that seems unfair to me.”

Johnson said he was good with sticking to the policy.

Hamilton said,  “I would like to do the motions separately.” .

Hightower asked, “So you’re not giving Kristy her longevity?”

Hamilton said, “I’ll make a motion we don’t approve the register of deeds longevity pay.” Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 2-to-1 with Hightower voting no.

Hamilton then moved,  “I make a motion we approve Janet Kleweno’s longevity pay.” Hightower seconded. The motion passed 2-to-1 with Johnson voting no.