Posted: June 17, 2009

Brown Deer - The Village Board by a 4-2 vote on Monday agreed to allocate $50,000 for pay increases for non-union employees.

Last year, the manager had $75,000 to spread among 54 employees, but Village President Carl Krueger said the decrease is a reflection of the state of the economy.

"We have some board members who feel they should not be giving out any raises at all at any time during this current situation," Krueger said. "That will probably come up in the discussions for the 2010 budget."

The board also will require the non-union employees to contribute more for their health insurance. Beginning on July 1, non-union employees will pay 10 percent of their premium costs, up from the current 7.5 percent. That amounts to $54 a month for single coverage and $148 a month for family coverage.

Village Manager Russell Van Gompel said he was considering using the $50,000 for a 1 percent pay increase, but had not decided.

Van Gompel said the decision to increase employee contributions for health care reflects the board's desire to manage benefit costs.

Members of the local police union now pay 8.5 percent of the premium cost for health care. The public works and clerical employees in the local AFSCME union pay 7.5 percent of the premium per a contract that expired Dec. 31, 2008.