Paris may be having a special meeting in the future to consider additional compensation for Clerk/Treasurer Beth Frederick.
Two of the three Town Board members said at Tuesday’s monthly board meeting that Frederick has been doing extra work and should be compensated for it.
“We have a real asset here with Beth as our clerk,” said Supervisor Ken Monson. “I think she’s being taken advantage of with her expertise.”
The possibility of giving Frederick more pay was discussed last month. At that time, the possibility of holding a special meeting of electors to modify the town budget to facilitate the additional compensation was discussed.
But that meeting was never set. It required a 15 to 20 day notice and that did not happen for a couple of reasons, said town attorney John Knuteson, including that Frederick asked that the matter be put on hold.
With the right time frame for the notice and a positive vote of electors at the special meeting, the change could take place, Knuteson said.
In general, Wisconsin law prohibits elected officials from passing pay increases that would take effect in their current term.
Though the position is elected, the Paris town/clerk does not vote on such matters so a clerk/treasurer could receive the additional pay in the current term with electors approval, Knuteson said.
Frederick said during the meeting that her reason for asking that the process be halted was the concern about whether it was appropriate. If it is OK for the town to consider the extra compensation, than she would favor it going forward, she said.
Frederick was appointed to the clerk/treasurer position after former Clerk /Treasurer Linda Terry resigned in February to take a position with another municipality.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board also discussed the possibility of hiring an office employee that might later be appointed by Frederick as a deputy/clerk treasurer.
When she signed on for the job, did she know what the pay was?
Yes she knew. She may be doing a good job but the rules are the rules. Of course unless the Town Chairman wants to change them in the middle of the game. Business as usual in Paris.