Pay study the Commission wants buried...and the Treasurers comments the Commission wouldn't let her make...

 The County Commission wants to bury this study that they commissioned.  We won't let them.  This is the story we reported on February 4th.  

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White Pine County employees are being paid well below market rates, according to a new compensation and classification study.

KELY Radio has obtained a copy of the report commissioned by the county.  The independent review found county wages average about seven percent below comparable public employers across Nevada, with some departments falling much further behind. Human Resources pay was more than 30 percent below market, while Emergency Management and Fire Protection were each nearly 20 percent under market rates.

The study reviewed pay for 154 employees across 89 job classifications and found no positions paid above market levels. Consultants say the gaps are contributing to recruitment and retention challenges.

To address the issue, the report recommends phased salary adjustments totaling about 922 thousand dollars, with no wage reductions proposed. The largest increases would go to positions currently well below market and those affected by wage compression.

At the January 14th County Commission meeting, Commissioners approved a 2% cost-of-living increase for elected officials on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Vogler and Pauley voting no.  Included in the Cost of Living increase was approval of the Legislative-approved 35% increase in pay for commissioners from $24,513.60 to $33,660.  But Commissioners opposed a similar increase for rank-and-file employees on a 4-1 vote, with former Commissioner Janet Vancamp voting no.  

County leaders will now decide whether and when to implement the recommendations, weighing budget impacts alongside workforce stability, or even acknowledge the study they themselves commissioned!

Decide for yourself - click here for the study!

And during closing public comment, the County Commission "accidentally"skipped White Pine Treasurer Catherine Backaric who was waiting to make Public Comment.  While we aired CBS News, I called Catherine and offered her the opportunity to make her comment over the air - and she agreed.  Listen below.  

And if you didn't hear our commentary on the Commission and this study, listen below!

Just a reminder

To those old-school intimidators who don't like our news reporting...

The Shutdown affects us as well.

Every quarter, we're required to publish documents to show that we're operating in the Public Interest, Conveneince, and Necessity. But we can't publish those documents to the FCC website because of, you know, the Shutdown. Though why the Shutdown is screwing with a website makes no sense to me. So to make it simple for you - since the FCC isn't - here's our monthly filing.  

Here's a link to our Third Quarter Issues List.

Here's a link to subjects covered on Eye on Veterans

And subjects covered in Infotrak on Sunday mornings

Just more of the useless crap that the Federal Communications Commision requires of Broadcast stations that isn't required by other media...

If it hit the fan like it did in Western North Carolina, would you be prepared?

 After a week, people in Western North Carolina have no power, internet, or reliable cell service.  What's keep them informed?  Radio.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/07/wnc-listeners-call-into-local-radio-station-seeking-solace-connection/75543836007/

Radio is a lifeline, but how can you be connected to the lifeline if you don't HAVE a radio?  Sadly, people think of radio as an antiquity, a relic of the past.  But when push comes to shove, radio will be here long after the other devices have failed.  

But how do you get a radio?  What little retail business we have in White Pine County doesn't even sell them.  Well, The Greek might, but the others?  Nope. 

Try this inexpensive radio.  Under $20, uses 2 AA batteries.   Add this to your next Amazon order. (I know you're shopping Amazon and not local.  It's no secret.) 

https://amzn.to/3Azpdg5

If nothing else, you might learn some truths that Facebook and TikTok won't tell you.  Because they don't give a damn about you.  You know that. 

Petition started ahead of hearing on Heritage Park Project

 A petition is being circulated on Change.org to encourage the White Pine County Commission to move forward with the Heritage Park project.  The project, funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, or SNPLMA, was applied for by a previous county commission, and a portion of the land the park is proposed to be on is owned by a former commissioner.  The petition, started by Lindsay Costello, has already gained nearly 400 signatures.  Critics of the project maintain that the 99-year maintenance obligation of the park is more than the county can afford, while supporters point at the tourism benefits of the complex, the improvement of quality of life for residents, and providing children and teens with places for sporting events, recreation, and personal development.

The petition also point out an issue that the commissioners have avoided addressing.  White Pine County’s property tax rate has stayed the same since 2006: $3.66 per $100 of assessed value. That means the rate hasn’t increased, even when the county builds new things like parks.  But, the petition points out, the assessed value of property is what might increase your tax bill. 

The Commission has twice agendized pulling out of the project, but has tabled those items and has published that a public hearing will be held on the project - again - at the Wednesday, August 13th meeting.

Here is a link to the petition.
https://www.change.org/p/support-the-construction-of-heritage-park-in-white-pine-county?recruiter=1380610329&recruited_by_id=2cba3710-734e-11f0-9f8b-dd8c645a7e60