Attorneys used by Butler County Children and Youth Services may be given 27 percent pay increases Wednesday.

At least two of the three county commissioners support new contracts increasing the monthly rate for attorneys Ron Thomas and Sue Lope from $3,333 to $4,250.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said in an interview the breakdown for time spent by the attorneys, which is 20 to 30 hours a week, equates to a reasonable rate.

“I don’t think that’s out of line for attorneys,” McCarrier said.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton agreed.

“It’s a great deal,” Pinkerton said.

He maintains Thomas’ connection to the commissioners’ office by being the husband of Maria Thomas, Pinkerton’s administrative assistant, has no bearing on the contracts.

Ron Thomas was appointed in 2006. Maria Thomas, who previously worked in District Judge Pete Shaffer’s office, switched jobs in 2012.

Sue Lope is married to Assistant District Attorney Mark Lope.

The attorneys serve as guardian ad litems, representing the best interest of children in juvenile dependency hearings.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein said he would like to reach a compromise rather than increase rates by 27 percent.

McCarrier pointed out the new contracts would correct a discrepancy in how both attorneys are paid.

Thomas was separately billing county court $60 an hour for working on cases that moved to Orphans’ Court. He was paid nearly $29,000 in 2014 for that work.

Lope only billed CYS.

Tom Holman, deputy court administrator, confirmed Lope handled cases in Orphan’s Court.

“A review of the records indicate she has done some Orphans’ Court work,” Holman said.

The attorney’s pay is funded 50 percent by the county and 50 percent by the state.

The commissioners on Jan. 28 tabled a vote on the proposed contract because Eckstein needed more information.

He said the difference in how the attorneys billed the county was not included in the documentation initially presented to him.

“It didn’t say that anywhere in here,” Eckstein said.

He criticized CYS for waiting so long to stop the separate billing, which went on for at least three years.

“They should have taken care of this three years ago,” Eckstein said.

He said if he does approve a rate hike Wednesday, it would be to compensate Lope for being paid less over the years.

“I want to be fair to Sue Lope,” Eckstein said.

In addition to preventing separate billing, the proposed contracts expand the duties of the attorneys.

According to CYS director Charlie Johns, the attorneys would be working longer hours, ranging between 30 to 40 hours a week.

During the commissioners meeting Monday, Eckstein protested when the board appeared poised to vote on the issue.

“Everybody just got me the information Friday afternoon,” Eckstein said.

McCarrier agreed to wait until Wednesday, but said he’s satisfied with the rationale.

“I got all the information I needed two weeks ago,” he said.