Ramsey County raises state's attorney salary to budgeted level after review and debate

The Ramsey County Commission voted to increase the state's attorney’s salary to the amount already in the county’s budget line item, following an eight‑month performance period and letters of support submitted on behalf of the office. The motion to increase the salary passed on a roll call vote.

Daniel (the county’s appointed state's attorney) told the commission that when he was appointed earlier in the year he accepted a salary lower than his predecessor and later requested the remainder of the budgeted salary based on his office’s performance, increased responsiveness and letters from law‑enforcement and court partners. Daniel said his office has improved communication and workload handling since his appointment and sought the budgeted salary for the remainder of the year, not back pay.

Commission discussion focused on how adjustments interact with the county’s step/grade pay system and whether approving the request would set a precedent for other hires. Commissioners noted the importance of retaining qualified attorneys in a rural county and that the county faces competition from larger jurisdictions. One commissioner described the idea of treating the first months as a probationary period tied to performance; others warned about complicating the step-based compensation system and opening similar requests from other employees.

After debate and several clarifying questions about grades, steps and the effect on next year’s budget, a motion to bring the state's attorney salary to the budgeted level passed on roll call with four votes in favor and one opposed. The county will reflect the approved salary change in payroll and in next year’s budget planning as appropriate.

The commission did not authorize additional retroactive pay; the increase covers the remainder of the year and will be reflected in budgeting and future step calculations.