Butler County is developing new pay grades and policies for nonunion jobs.

The salary board on Thursday discussed using a salary study by the Archer Co. as a starting point for changes.

The board, which is comprised of the three county commissioners and county controller, eventually decided to have separate policies drafted for management and nonmanagement employees.

The board also agreed to consider eliminating the current automatic longevity pay hikes, which are 4.5 percent after five years of employment and another 2.5 percent after 10 years, with merit increases.

The merit increases could not exceed a department or office budget.

Treasurer Diane Marburger, who is on the salary board for issues relating to her row office, agreed with other members that merit increases are a good incentive for workers.

“They’re getting a reward for not being dead wood,” Marburger said.

Carmine Scotece, director of county human services, said for a merit-based pay raise system to work, the longevity increase must be eliminated.

“Longevity would work against that,” Scotece said.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier said longevity pay increases are no longer practical.

“This has certainly outlived its usefulness,” he said.

Scotece said it’s essential for a merit-based system to have sound footing.

“You have to be very scientific on setting performance standards,” he said.

Scotece said without measurable guidelines, there would be problems.

“People will challenge that,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein balked at the idea of row officers and department heads awarding merit increases.

“I’m not giving away my rights to anyone,” Eckstein said.

Controller Ben Holland said an established pay scale would enable Eckstein to question a particular employee’s salary.

“This gives you the flexibility to do that,” Holland said.

The board also agreed to review the state pay raise process, which has two levels: one for cost-of-living adjustment and a second for merit.

The county already gives pay hikes based on annual cost-of-living raises, which was 3 percent for nonunion workers this year.

McCarrier said any changes to pay hikes should be done at one time.