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Ashland County Board OKs per-diem increase to $75 for meetings, effective after next election
Summary
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors voted 10–6 to raise the per-diem paid to supervisors from $50 to $75 for board and committee meetings and to raise the half‑day rate for a second meeting the same day from $25 to $37.50; the change takes effect after the April 2026 election.
The Ashland County Board of Supervisors voted to increase the per-diem rate it pays members for meetings, approving a change that raises the base rate from $50 to $75 and the second-meeting (same-day) rate from $25 to $37.50.
The measure — to take effect after the April 2026 election — passed on a roll-call tally of 10 yes, 6 no. The board carried out the roll call after extended debate about county finances, comparisons with neighboring counties, and whether higher per diems encourage participation or simply increase costs.
Board members who supported the increase argued the current rate had not kept pace with inflation and that raising it would help retain and recruit supervisors who must balance paid work with county service. Opponents said the change was poorly timed given tight local budgets and that many supervisors serve for public service rather than pay.
The board did not specify a mover in the meeting transcript; Supervisor Huber recorded a second during debate. A roll-call listing recorded individual yes and no votes before the chair announced the motion carried 10–6.
The increase is scheduled to become effective after the next county board election; the board clarified it will not apply retroactively to current members for meetings held before that effective date.
Clarifying details: the motion as presented applied to all types of county board and committee meetings that previously qualified for the $50 per diem. The board agreed the half-day (second meeting same day) pay would remain one-half of the newly proposed primary rate ($37.50), and members discussed but did not change mileage reimbursement rules during the vote.
The vote concluded one of the meeting's lengthiest debates, which included comparisons of Ashland County's per-diem to other Wisconsin counties and discussion of the county's limited property tax growth that constrains budget options.
The clerk will publish the adopted language and a schedule showing the effective date after the next election. No budgetary reauthorization to fund the change was completed at the meeting; board members discussed estimated fiscal impacts during debate but did not adopt a separate appropriation at this session.
