The Lander County Board of Commissioners voted on April 24 to raise the general justice of the peace salary to $89,307 effective the next pay period.

Spencer Roberts, the county’s general justice of the peace, asked the commission earlier in the meeting to set a higher salary than the $71,000 level that had been adopted before his term; he cited training requirements and the responsibilities of the office. "I'm asking that you raise it," Roberts said during his remarks and described training, use of remote hearing tools and added duties tied to on‑call bail and warrant work.

Commission discussion referenced historical practice, the statute governing elected official pay and a pending state measure. Legal and staff noted that the statutory timing for setting elected‑official pay occurs in December and that Senate Bill 116—currently under consideration—would, if enacted, set higher base pay levels for elected officials; commissioners debated whether to set the judge’s salary now or wait for the outcome of that legislation. County staff recommended setting the increase now and then aligning payroll and next fiscal budgeting as needed.

Several public speakers and local officials supported Roberts. Arthur Aiden, who said he works frequently with the justice court, described Roberts' performance as "exemplary" and said the court's responsiveness justified the increase. Court staff noted steps that have reduced the county’s need to use senior judges, including expanded remote hearing capability and new cloud‑based warrant workflows.

A motion to increase the justice of the peace salary to $89,307 was made and seconded; the board voted in favor. Commissioners also discussed budget mechanics and noted the county will adjust department budgets during the current budget cycle to reflect the change. The board did not tie the pay increase to any permanent statutory change; the action sets the salary for the incumbent position at that amount effective immediately.

No additional procedural changes were adopted at the time.