Statement on Approval of Agreement That Will Save Taxpayers Up to $2-Million Next Year

February 21, 2012
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive, 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
County Executive

 

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi issued the following statement after signing newly ratified agreements between the county and its employees that will save Dane County taxpayers while protecting workers and their families:

 

“We continue to lead by example in Dane County, proving that working with our workers, not against them, works. 

 

“By sitting down and problem-solving together, the county and its public employees have negotiated agreements that will save county taxpayers nearly $2 million, protect vital pubic services, and help our workers and their families adjust to the ill-advised actions of our state leaders.

 

“While we continue to live in uncertain and challenging times, these agreements start our work on the 2013 county budget on the right path. 

 

“And once again, our workers – those who keep our roads and communities safe, those who take care of our families and neighbors – were the first to volunteer to be a part of the solution.

 

“My deepest thanks go to our employees for their continued cooperation and hard work, as well as to the leaders on the Dane County Board who helped this agreement through the legislative process.”

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As part of the agreement, Dane County employees would begin to contribute toward their retirement in 2013, have a temporary across the board reduction in wages, and county government would shut down for three days next year.  Those measures would result in over $1.9 million in savings throughout county government.

 

A state law approved in November allowed public entities like Dane County that had existing labor contracts a limited window to enter into memorandums of understanding with collective bargaining units to reduce the cost of compensation or fringe benefits.