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Geary County commissioners approve plan to pursue raising juror pay to $20 a day; resolution to be drafted
Summary
Commissioners agreed to pursue raising payment for jurors who actually serve to $20 per day, with a formal resolution to be provided by Judge Jared Sexton and an effective date discussed as Jan. 1, 2026.
The Geary County Board of County Commissioners voted to move forward with a plan to raise juror pay to $20 per day for jurors who actually serve, and directed county staff to prepare a resolution for formal adoption.
Why the story matters: Juror compensation affects who can serve and the county’s budget. Commissioners said the proposed $20 daily pay was based on recent spending and comparisons with nearby counties; a formal resolution will set the effective date and allow the county to include the change in future budget planning.
County finance staff member Tammy (surname not specified) told commissioners she reviewed historical expenditures for jury payments from 2023, 2024 and through August 2025 and prorated those numbers to estimate 2026 costs. “I went through the history of what we budgeted and what was actual,” Tammy said.
Commissioners discussed comparable rates in nearby counties during the meeting. Tammy and another commissioner noted that Dickinson County pays $25 and Riley County pays $20; Stafford or Saline County figures were mentioned in the transcript but not fully specified. Commissioners asked for a resolution to be drafted by Judge Jared Sexton so formal action could occur in a subsequent meeting.
A county official clarified the timing discussed for implementation. “He says this would not take effect till 01/01/2026,” a commissioner said during the discussion, echoing Judge Sexton’s timeline as recounted in the meeting.
A motion to proceed was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote. “So I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carried,” the record shows.
What the record does not specify: the transcript does not list the names of the motion’s mover and seconder on the public record, nor does it provide a line‑item budget number for the 2026 fiscal year. Tammy said the $20 figure should be sustainable unless a significant unforeseen expense occurs and that the county would revisit the amount during the 2027 budget process.
Next steps: Judge Jared Sexton is expected to provide a proposed resolution for commissioners to sign and formally adopt at an upcoming meeting.
