To The Editor,

(Regarding the) latest county budget, I firmly believe in pay for performance and that each county employee has probably earned a compensation increase. However the (Record) article did not include any explanation of how the added expenditures would be funded. 

We seem to exist in a comparison driven society. Our county tax entities continually compare their employee pay to that of others. The roads and bridges problem is a good example and could have become a focus item earlier. There is never enough supporting data to reflect that a comprehensive comparative analysis was performed. 

Who and how many comparisons were conducted and what were the total results? How many were the same, were less, were more? Typically hourly wages/salaries are not the only parts of the total compensation package. Perks and incentives such as insurance, training, snow days, promotional possibilities etc. should be considered. 

It appears that no real study occurs, but a single item/number is chosen which best supports their agenda. If a legitimate comparison and analysis was performed, we might have discovered that some answers and improvements were evident in our own house.

Average age of an employee group should not be the only metric when assessing continued group effectiveness.

Analysis of age distribution from newest starts to those nearing retirement, as well as those in critical or special trained positions will identify priorities. It’s not likely that Warren County is the only one facing this problem. 

I hear that “real men don’t ask for directions.” Maybe it’s time to network with our neighbors to learn how others are addressing these issues. Contact with state county support organizations, such as the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) could be beneficial. 

Rising costs of living is a continually growing problem that is handled by throwing money at it. When you give a cost of living raise, try explaining how it increases the cost of living.

A lot of talk going on about preserving our local history. How about our local newspaper, which has long supported us with bipartisan information and aided in documenting our history. Newspapers continue to diminish in size and may not always be around. We need to use, support and subscribe or be stuck with the electronic grapevine.

Paul Harper
Warrenton