Geary County commissioners set incoming sheriff’s starting pay at $129,604 after debate

The Geary County Board of County Commissioners approved a starting salary of $129,604.80 for incoming Sheriff Nathan J. Beckman following a public presentation from the sheriff-elect, staff recommendations and extended discussion among commissioners.

County human-resources director Crystal Malchos told the board the decision was based on a 2022 wage study and the county's adopted pay policy. Malchos said the consultant placed the sheriff position on "grade 41p, step H" based on the job's duties and Beckman's qualifications, including relevant law-enforcement experience, supervisory roles and specialized training. "With our incoming sheriff having relevant experience, education, everything going on, then he would start at the H, and this was based upon our consultant," Malchos said.

The county finance director, Tammy Robinson, and HR staff told commissioners the county had previously set some elected-official starting steps above the minimum, citing the county clerk's earlier placement as precedent and the pay-policy guidance that awards steps for relevant education. Robinson said the pay policy adopted after the Arnold Group market study permits one step for a degree relevant to the position.

Sheriff-elect Nathan J. Beckman presented a packet of his credentials and detailed two decades of law-enforcement experience, including jail operations, patrol and investigations. He told the board his experience included supervisory and command training, a bachelor's degree and attendance at the sheriff's school and other leadership programs. Beckman said those qualifications and the size and complexity of the department he will lead supported the consultant's recommendation. "An individual with a bachelor's degree and 21 years in this line prepares me for this," Beckman said in the meeting.

Commissioners pressed on precedent, fairness to existing county employees and budget implications. One commissioner noted that the interim sheriff had earned more and asked about parity; another said the recommended step felt high for an incoming official. A member of the public, Cody Probst, addressed the board during the discussion to say Beckman had been elected by voters and urged commissioners to approve higher pay.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to set Beckman's starting salary at $129,604.80 (grade 41P, step H), the consultant's recommendation. The board voted in favor; the minutes record the motion carried.

The action implements the pay policy and the Arnold Group wage-study placement the county used to set ranges and steps. County staff said future annual increases remain at the commission's discretion and that pay decisions for other elected officials would be handled separately.

The board moved on to set the incoming county commissioner and clerk salaries afterward and to other business; staff said salary paperwork for the incoming officials would be prepared for signatures.