In a recent meeting of the Johnson County Special Commissioner's Court, officials discussed a restructuring of clerk positions aimed at addressing pay disparities and improving morale among county employees. The proposal involves reorganizing the current 144 clerk roles into five pay bands, which will help standardize salaries across various offices.

Currently, clerks are classified into three levels—Clerk 1, Clerk 2, and Clerk 3—yet some Clerk 1 positions earn more than Clerk 3 roles, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. The new structure will create pay bands that range from $36,000 to $61,000, depending on the level, with small increases for those affected. The total cost of this restructuring is estimated at around $100,000, which will be distributed among the positions.

The goal of this initiative is to establish clear salary guidelines and reduce favoritism in pay raises, which has been a concern among officials. By setting minimum salaries for each band, the county aims to create a more equitable pay system that reflects the responsibilities of each role. The restructuring is seen as a step towards long-term improvements, with hopes of further adjustments in the coming years.

In addition to the pay band discussions, officials acknowledged the need for clearer job descriptions to differentiate between the various clerk levels and supervisory roles. This clarity is essential to ensure that employees understand their responsibilities and the corresponding pay structure.

While the current changes do not include supervisors or office managers, there is an openness to revisiting these roles in future discussions. The court emphasized the importance of addressing existing pay disparities and ensuring that all employees are compensated fairly for their work.

As Johnson County moves forward with this restructuring, officials are hopeful that these changes will lead to a more organized and equitable workplace, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole. The next steps will involve further evaluation of job descriptions and potential adjustments to the roles of supervisors and office managers in the future.