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County to consider enrolling elected district attorney in PERS after short‑session law change
Summary
Crook County staff briefed commissioners on a state law change that added district attorneys to the list of positions eligible for PERS enrollment; county officials estimated the county cost at about $7,200 and suggested placing enrollment on the consent agenda.
County human resources and legal staff briefed the board Jan. 15 about a short‑session legislative change (cited in the meeting as House Bill 4045) that adds district attorneys to positions eligible for enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
Why it matters: the statutory change affects retirement contribution arrangements for the county’s district attorney position and will alter whether the county pays a portion of retirement benefits currently delivered as a 401(k) stipend.
Details from the briefing - The change was described as an amendment to state law during the short legislative session and was explained by staff as expanding PERS eligibility to district attorneys (district attorneys previously received county‑paid retirement stipends structured as 401(k) contributions for a portion of compensation). - County staff estimated the county’s incremental cost at roughly $7,200 (the difference between current county 401(k) contributions and the PERS employer contribution for the county’s portion of the stipend). Staff recommended placing the enrollment action on the next consent agenda so payroll and HR can implement the change without disrupting current pay cycles.
Action taken Commissioners agreed to place the item on the consent agenda for next week so the county can implement PERS enrollment as required and preserve payroll timing. Staff said the county’s portion covers only the locally paid stipend; the state funds a substantial portion of district attorney compensation independently.
Next steps If the board places the enrollment on consent and approves it at the regular meeting, payroll will implement the PERS enrollment for the district attorney position for the county’s share.
