The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to take a look at the wages paid to court clerks after hearing from several of them at a Thursday meeting. During the public comment section of the board’s weekly meeting, court workers said some of their pay equals what might be earned in a fast food joint, while open positions aren’t being filled and the workload increases.
“Because the pay is low, we have lost employees and have very low numbers of applicants,” one employee said. “The criminal traffic court is down half of its clerks. Being short-staffed means those employees who are very underpaid are now having to cover two or three positions in the office.”
Court employees said a 2020 wage study that was implemented in 2022 left some of the court staff out.
“There are people dropping like flies,” another employee said. “We’re overworked and underpaid.”
Speaking in support of the court clerks was Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler, who said the future of the county relies on the employees. She asked the county commission to support them. Sheriff Paul Bailey also said operations at the sheriff’s department can be delayed when there’s a shortage of court clerks. Commission Chair Mac Elliott said, “I just don’t think we can let this go unattended.” He asked the personnel committee to study the issue. Commissioners unanimously indicated their support.
