WINTERSVILLE — Ways to retain village employees were among matters discussed by Wintersville Council’s finance committee on Monday.

Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi said Capt. Jason Fabian of the village’s police department agreed to draw up possible options in which staff could receive an increase in their hourly wage after reaching certain years of their employment with the village.

He stressed the longevity pay, if approved, would apply to members of all departments, not only the police.

Fabian presented a few scenarios, noting the intention is to prevent the frequent turnovers that have occurred in recent years.

He noted the police department includes officers who have been there for 25 or 30 years and younger officers who have been there for five years or less, with very few in between.

“I would like the younger officers to know what they can look to in the future,” said Fabian.

Kosegi agreed longevity pay could help to retain workers, noting those who hold commercial drivers’ licenses could be lured away by jobs in the private sector that offer higher pay.

Mayor Mike Petrella said while the financial incentives could be awarded in intervals between three to 15 years of employment, they would not be retroactive, meaning they would apply to the number of years for each employee, effective next year.

He noted if it’s to be offered, it must be adopted by a council through an ordinance before the village’s budget is submitted to the state at the end of the year.

Councilman Carmen DeStefano questioned whether there’s room in the budget.

Melanie Smith, a clerk with the state auditor’s office who has been assisting the village following the departure of its fiscal officer, estimated $14,000 to $17,000 would be needed, depending on the tier of pay raises selected by council.

Councilwoman Pennie Scarpone, who chairs the finance committee, noted the public works department has been nearly halved in recent years, primarily through attrition, and is comprised mostly of newer employees.

Of the longevity pay, she said, “I don’t think it’s a big deal as long as we’re not creating new positions.”

After some discussion, DeStefano said, “I think if you go back and do the numbers, this might work out.”

Petrella, Smith and Fabian agreed to meet with each other to finalize the figures involved.

But Smith also suggested council consider providing one-time year-end bonuses to the full-time staff, which numbers 21.

The committee agreed to recommend the bonuses to the full council.

Kosegi said in the future, council could consider bonuses that would be based on an employee’s score on his or her performance evaluation.

In other business, he suggested expanding the fiscal officer’s position to full-time.

While Kosegi conceded earlier that would help attract applicants, he also told council there’s other work the fiscal officer could do and it would be helpful to have that person available on a daily basis when information is needed.

Council is slated to meet at 7 p.m. today following a meeting of its personnel committee at 6 p.m.