ESCANABA — The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a pay increase for the county’s drain commissioner, who has only been paid $50 a year for his work in the position.

“I appreciate this commission’s willingness to negotiate and kind of to compromise. I always like getting a deal,” said Commissioner Patrick Johnson, who was opposed to the pay raise for the drain commissioner that was initially proposed last month.

On June 17 it was proposed that Auger’s pay be raised from $50 to $6,000 plus mileage and other actual expenses. Based off rough mileage cost calculations done prior to the June 17 meeting, the total cost to the county for the increase would be about $12,000 annually. While the increase would have brought bring the position’s pay into compliance with state law — which stipulates that drain commissioners must be paid actual expenses — the commissioners split 3-2 on the issue, deciding not to move forward with the increase. Instead, the issue of Auger’s wages were sent back to the county’s finance subcommittee for further review.

The proposal approved by the commissioners Tuesday will provide the drain commissioner with an annual salary of $3,000, with no benefits. An additional $4,200 is budgeted for travel and lodging, $900 for dues and registrations, and $240 for per diems to attend park commission meetings.

Prior to 2013, the county drain commissioner’s salary was about $6,000 annually (about $8,280 in today’s dollars), but the county board at that time believed there was too little work to justify the pay. The $50 annual wage was selected because it was believed that it would cover the pay for one meeting the commissioner attended on an annual basis.

Drain commissioners are elected officials, required by state law, that manage drainage systems including natural or artificial creeks, ditches, sewers, or other systems that manage the movement of water. Even before the wages were cut for the position, there was a belief that there is no real work for the drain commissioner.

Auger and multiple county employees have contested that belief, arguing there are multiple drains under Auger’s jurisdiction — not one, as has been often stated — and that the position is also responsible for drainage system management, stormwater management, drainage district administration, public safety and welfare and service requests.

On April 10 of this year, the county received a letter from Auger requesting a salary increase and reimbursement to cover milage. The amount was not specified, but was requested retroactively. He also requested magnetic signs for his vehicle and an official ID that could be presented when working with the Michigan Department of Transportation of other state agencies or contractors on projects.

The commissioners made no decisions on magnetic care signage, but indicated that one of the other county departments that had the capability to print identification cards would be able to provide Auger with an ID.

Part of the discussion at the June 17 meeting was less about Auger’s pay and more about the unique ability of drain commissioners to levy drain assessments to property owners and governmental units within set drainage districts, though the power hasn’t been used in Delta County in recent memory. Commissioner Patrick Johnson, who was the most vocal opposition to the wage increase last month, described the drain commissioner’s ability to tax as “a pretty high risk.”

The ability of levy assessments is, however, not related to wages. Johnson’s primary objections to an increase for the position were that he felt the wages should not be paid out of the county’s general fund. He also objected to using unearmarked marijuana tax revenue to pay for the position, as he felt that tax dollars raised by marijuana sales should go towards police services aimed at combatting drug problems.

The plan approved Tuesday will pay for the position using surplus interest revenue.