By Cindy Larson

For Business Weekly

As the Allen County salary ordinance is currently under review, Allen County courts have taken the matter into their own hands, issuing an order that would raise the pay of certain Circuit Court, Superior Court and Allen County Justice Center employees.

Allen County auditor Nick Jordan told council members that if they don’t take action or if it’s denied, “I still have to follow it per the judge’s order.”

Currently the county justice center and circuit and superior courts have not put in any additional requests, Jordan said, but if a request were to be made, council would still have to appropriate it.

County Council attorney Mitch Harper said the courts do have authority to set compensation for their personnel. He doesn’t believe County Council needs to amend the salary ordinance.

Council President Tom Harris said they told the courts if this happens in the middle of a salary study it could have a negative impact.

But the courts decided to skip the process and issue the order anyway. “That’s very disappointing to me; I think it should be to the taxpayers as well,” Harris said.

“I have to say I agree with the judges,” Councilman Ken Fries said. He said the judges tried to deal with human resources and county council to no avail. “They were getting nowhere — now they’re being listened to.”

In the end council took no action on the amended salary ordinance. It didn’t really matter — the order would supersede any acton taken by the council anyway.