Substantial raise likely for longtime engineer assistant

New contract details regarding Assistant to the Engineer Larry Latham surfaced Monday at the Union County board of supervisors meeting.

More than two months ago, June 21, Latham and Office Manager Pam McCracken were denied raises by the supervisors.

The following week, McCracken addressed the board, questioning their decision. She read sharply from a typed letter for more than three and a half minutes, emphasizing Latham’s proficiency.

That week, Bob Brown motioned to revisit and reconsider compensation increases for Latham and McCracken.

The contracts were revisited but again denied. The roll call vote was 3-2 with Brown and Mike King voting for raises.

However, in that meeting, Bob Jansen suggested moving forward, that Latham and McCracken’s pay increases be tied to the contract of Union County Engineer Steve Akes.

Jansen’s suggestion was heard, because King, the supervisors and Jack Lipovac, human resources consultant for Union County, recently acted on the Jansen’s proposition, drafting a contract tying Latham’s salary to Akes’.

• Read more of this story in the Aug. 31 edition of the Creston News Advertiser.