The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting Nov. 11 could be a barn burner if the tone of a discussion over salaries continues.

At Monday's workshop meeting, officials disagreed over the size of pay increases hat should be awarded employees at different levels.

Commissioners President Linda Snyder brought up the issue of salary increases for six clerical personnel slated to receive a 2.25-percent pay increase in 2014. Department heads, bureau chiefs and midmanagement staff are set to receive a 2.5-percent increase.

Commissioner Paul Geissinger opposed the larger increase, saying he wants to keep all pay increases at 2 percent. He said he believes it is unfair to give supervisors larger increases than those given to the employees.

"I like to ask for the same for these [six] employees just for now," Snyder said. "I'd like to see if we can get them a little more."

Geissinger said higher paid staff would be paid more than $100,000 over a course of 10 years.

"That's a nice chunk of change," he said.

Geissinger added he explored salaries at a few large, private companies and discovered raises averaged less than 1 percent.

Commissioners Vice President Philip Ginder strongly supported the 2.5-percent pay increases for supervisors, noting they work longer hours, have more expertise and are given more responsibility.

"What is the incentive to work your way up to a management position?" Ginder asked.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said higher level staff pay a larger percentage for health care than their counterparts with lower salaries.

Public works employees aligned with the Teamsters union will receive a 2-percent pay increase in 2014 pursuant to the terms of the negotiated contract. Police department personnel will receive a 2.5-percent increase in pay, thanks to their contract.

"I'm not ready for this. Nobody said this was going to be on the agenda," said Commissioner Thomas Slonaker.