Lake County Commissioners recognize employees; approve personnel action

Lake County Commissioners recognized a couple of county employees for their years of service during their meeting on Tuesday.  As part of the county’s recognition of National County Government month, the commission recognized Vicki Menor for fifteen years of service to the county, and Paula Barrick for twenty years of service.  Also as part of National County Government month, the county commission and employees held courthouse presentations and tours for third grade students from Madison Elementary School. 

In other business Tuesday, commissioners acknowledged the resignation of 911 Communications Dispatcher Nancy Vickmark, effective April 15th.  County Human Resource Specialist Shelli Gust recommended to commissioners that when the dispatcher position is listed that it start at a higher per hour wage.  Gust said that currently dispatchers start at $15.85 an hour with increases as they receive their necessary certifications to a pay rate of $17.35 an hour.  Because of the difficulty in getting people to apply for the dispatcher positions, Gust recommended that commissioners start new hires for dispatchers at the $17.35 an hour rate, with no increases then for certifications.  She said she believes the higher per-hour wage may make the position more appealing to potential candidates.  Commissioners agreed to have Gust advertise the position at the higher wage, and also approved increasing the wage for a current dispatcher who is still in training.