The jobs of seven employees in the county's seven district judge offices have been reclassified, which will cause those workers to see an increase in pay.

The county salary board at its Wednesday meeting heard member Butler County Judge William Schaffer report that the employees, who were classified in the county salary schedule as administrative assistant II, perform duties at the district judge offices that go beyond the tasks described in that classification.

Schaffer said the employees were at the maximum hourly pay rate of $25.40 for administrative assistant II, although they perform supervisory tasks, oversee the office when the district judge is not in and carry out other duties not included in the job description of administrative assistant II.

“They also handle money, which is unusual to that position,” Schaffer said.

The maximum pay for administrative assistant III is $27.27 per hour.

Ben Holland, county controller, suggested that a new job classification be created for the district judge employees because of their unique duties, but no action was taken on that suggestion.

“If you look at the job, they are not really administrative assistants,” Holland said. “The proper title would be office managers.”

The salary board rejected Schaffer's request that the new pay scale be retroactive to Jan. 1, as increases for other county employees who are reclassified are not retroactive.

“I understand it, but I'm just not sure about going back to Jan. 1,” said Leslie Osche, county commissioner chairwoman and salary board member.

Commissioner Kim Geyer agreed.

“It sets a precedent,” Geyer said. “Every time we have a re-evaluation, we'll always have to go back to Jan. 1 of that year.”

County solicitor Wil White also agreed.

“It would be, in my opinion, a precedent-setting situation,” he said.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel pointed out that if the pay increase were made retroactive to Jan. 1, the county would be obligated to pay a resigning employee their retroactive pay.

Schaffer amended his motion to reclassify the seven district judge employees with their new pay rates taking effect immediately.

The salary board voted unanimously to approve the measure.