Modale staff members get raises
LEE ZION, EDITOR
Harrison County Times-Reporter
Everyone in the room agreed that the Modale staff deserved a raise. The last raise was in 2024. Without a raise, the town’s most valuable employees might go elsewhere.
Still, it took almost an hour before the Modale town council came to a decision July 13.
Councilman Mark Long singled out Marty Skinner, the town’s Public Works Superintendent and Water Supervisor.
“Just the other day, the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] was here, and Dan Olson was questioning Marty, and that young man had and answer for everything that Dan asked. And that report right there, he got an A-plus, far as I’m concerned,” Long said. “You don’t want to lose him. You call him at 2 o’clock in the morning; he’ll be here.”
And that’s not the only question. The current employees know where every water and sewer line is in the town. Modale shouldn’t lose that institutional knowledge, he said.
In the past, town employees got a raise of 3 percent across the board. This time, council members were considering more.
Currently, Alvin Schiltz, assistant to the water and sewer superintendent, makes $15.15 an hour, The proposed 5 percent increase discussed at the meeting would bring him to $15.91.
Council members praised Schiltz, as well, since he also handles maintenance on the equipment. Long recommended bringing his salary to $20.50.
“Five dollars an hour raise? I’ve never heard of such a thing!” Kathleen Dugdale announced.
“Do you want to lose ’em?” Long shot back.
The discussion lasted 51 minutes. In the end, salary increased for each employee by three dollars even.
Skinner’s salary went to $24.64, while Kent Beebe, seasonal snow removal, will get $21.94. Schiltz will get $18.15, and Diane Pruitt, town librarian, will get $16.39 an hour.
Shauna Gerke, the town clerk, will get 2,082.81 per month.
