Prosecutor's Office proposes 10% raise funded by budget reallocation in Sandpoint

The Bonner County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on May 1, 2025, to discuss proposed salary adjustments for the prosecutor's office, focusing on the need for a flat 10% raise for staff. The meeting highlighted concerns about salary compression and the importance of equitable compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel.

During the discussions, a commissioner emphasized the need for a uniform raise to avoid creating disparities among employees, particularly between high and low earners. The proposal aims to raise the base salary across all positions by 10%, which would not affect the step-in-grade structure but would increase the overall compensation for each role.

Financial considerations were central to the conversation, with commissioners exploring ways to fund the proposed raises without increasing the overall budget. They identified two primary sources of funding: an $85,000 annual contract with the city of Sandpoint for prosecution services and a $30,000 savings from discontinuing a software program used for public records requests, which is no longer deemed necessary due to a decrease in requests.

The total projected budget for the prosecutor's office was discussed, with estimates indicating that the proposed 10% raise could be covered by the identified funding sources. However, concerns were raised about the potential impact on morale across other departments, as disparities in raises could lead to dissatisfaction among employees in different roles.

Commissioners acknowledged the challenges of competing with neighboring Kootenai County for talent, given the differences in salary structures and the limited budget available in Bonner County. They agreed on the importance of addressing recruitment and retention issues while ensuring fairness across the organization.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further analyze salary data and explore additional funding options to support the proposed raises, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the financial realities of the county while striving to maintain a competitive workforce.