The outcry last week by Berrien County court clerks to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners about wages appears to have made a difference. Speaking at a Thursday meeting, Commissioner Bob Harrison said the Personnel Committee has been considering the issue.
“We had a discussion regarding the court clerk wages, and we met with our administrator, talked through some process issues, some efforts to gather data, and so we’ve got that under study for consideration by the board at a later date,” Harrison said.
At last Thursday’s commission meeting, about 20 court clerks spoke out about low wages and a lack of staff. They said they’re making fast food level wages while being expected to approach their jobs as careers. Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler supported them, saying her office is struggling with a staff shortage. Commissioners at the time expressed an intent to correct the issue. The county did a wage study in 2020 that led to some pay increases for staff in 2022, but it did not include the court clerks. Harrison said the committee is studying the issue.
