Benton Township Is Making Changes To Nonunion Employee Benefits

In an effort to fight rising expenses and declining tax revenue Benton Township is making some changes to its nonunion employee benefits. On Tuesday, Benton Township trustees approved changes that will save $120,000 over the next three years. One change affects the number of sick days nonunion employees can take, being reduced from 12 to 6. Another is payroll deductions of 15% of their hospitalization premium co-pay costs, right now they pay 12%. Superintendent Elden Piontek told the "Herald-Pallaldium" the township may not fill vacant positions as another way to cut costs. The city of St. Joseph was cited for making similar changes and calculating the long term effect of saving several million dollars.