The Osage County Commission on Jan. 9 approved a package of pay increases for county employees and elected officials.

Commissioners authorized a $1.25-per-hour increase for every county employee. The board also approved additional compensation changes for elected officials: commissioners said elected officials (excluding the commissioners and the county attorney) and certain sheriff's office positions would receive annual increases; the meeting record indicates a $6,000 annual increase for elected officials and an arrangement for the sheriff/undersheriff described as a separate but comparable increase.

The board said the increases are effective with the first payroll of 2025; commissioners noted that employees would see the first increased paychecks in February and that staff will prepare a formal resolution for adoption at an upcoming meeting. A motion to approve the pay actions was made, seconded and approved unanimously.

Commissioners and staff discussed organizing pay and evaluations so requests and adjustments occur on a consistent schedule and noted the county has previously used studies to set elected-official pay. The commission directed staff to draft the required resolution and supporting paperwork for the formal record.