County panel OKs auditor's office pact

6/21/2011

The Lucas County Data Processing Board approved a three-year contract proposal Monday between Auditor Anita Lopez's office and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The approval forwards the contract to Lucas County commissioners for a final vote. Under state law, the data processing board must approve contracts with information services employees before commissioners vote on them, something that didn't happen in 2005 or 2008.

Last week, county administration officials and Ms. Lopez traded barbs over raises that commissioners said weren't explicitly spelled out in the union's last contract. A memorandum of understanding, however, noted Ms. Lopez could provide upgrades to employees found under-compensated by job audits.

There was little talk of those issues yesterday.

Ms. Lopez told the board she could provide the 2008 job audit reports upon which she based the wage increases. No increase was given in 2010, which led the union to file a grievance The resolution of that grievance is included in this year's contract. Ms. Lopez assured the board it was within her budget to accommodate the extra salary.

Commissioner Pete Gerken said the board has 30 days to take up the proposed contract for vote.