Most of Butler County’s 173 nonunion employees won’t be getting raises next year.

The county salary board Wednesday failed to pass a motion giving a 3 percent wage hike to all full-time and part-time nonunion workers.

Although county commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton supported the increase, Commissioner Jim Eckstein opposed it.

Eckstein said a vote should be tabled until a salary study is completed.

“We owe it to the employees,” he said.

McCarrier said it would be unfair for nonunion workers to receive less than union workers, who will receive 3 percent under their contracts.

“We have to treat our employees equitably,” he said.

Controller Jack McMillin also opposed the motion because the board did not accept his condition that no new jobs be created using any general fund money until the county’s unrestricted fund balance is built up to at least 8 percent of the total budget, which is proposed at $194.7 million for 2014.

McMillin pointed out the unrestricted fund balance for the county is at zero.

“Right now, the county has no reserve,” he said. “None.”

McCarrier said McMillin’s condition was too restrictive.

“We have a need, time to time, to add positions,” McCarrier said.

Joyce Ainsworth, director of county Children and Youth Services, said it would be disheartening for her nonunion staff to not get raises.

“It’s so demoralizing,” she said.

Five county employees ended up getting the 3 percent raise because three row officers attended the meeting.

Sheriff Mike Slupe, Treasurer Diane Marburger and District Attorney Richard Goldinger made separate motions to give raises for their respective offices. Each garnered a majority vote.

McMillin pointed out other row officers have the right to do the same at future meetings.

Slupe said after the meeting he couldn’t let his one nonunion employee receive less money than his subordinates.

“I have to do what’s right for my chief deputy,” he said.

Marburger said in an interview she understood McMillin’s financial concerns, but barring future hiring was not the way to go.

“I think 3 percent is fine,” she said.

McMillin admitted he previously told McCarrier he would support the 3 percent increase, but that was before he saw the 2014 budget numbers.

McCarrier said he was disappointed with McMillin’s vote, so he would not support what McMillin wanted in return.

McMillin was incensed by that comment.

“I don’t cut deals, commissioner,” he said.

After the meeting, McCarrier would not elaborate on what trade-off he was referencing.