The Scott County Board last week raised the salary of its top employee by 4 percent.

County Administrator Dave Unmacht will now earn $136,245, as well as a continuance of his $300-per-month car allowance.

Last year, he received a 5.7-percent raise.

The board, in an earlier closed session, reviewed Unmacht’s performance and rated it as exceeding expectations.Unmacht

The only commissioner who opposed the raise was Joe Wagner of Sand Creek Township, as he has done in previous years.

Wagner said he couldn’t justify such a high amount out of respect for his constituents, who live in the most rural part of the county.

Calling Unmacht a “good, solid administrator,” Wagner also pointed out that Unmacht is supported by “very hardworking and talented staff.”

Wagner said he keeps hearing how great Unmacht is, but “for $135,000, he better be good.”

“That’s a mountain of money,” he said, noting that at this rate, two years from now Unmacht will earn as much of the governor.

-- Shannon Fiecke