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Montcalm County sets commissioner pay increases, raises road commissioner salaries for next six years
Summary
The board adopted Resolution 2024-14 to set a 3% annual increase for county commissioners from 2025–2028 and approved a package raising road‑commissioner pay to $9,500 (chair $10,000) with automatic 3% increases for six years.
The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved two pay measures: a resolution setting the county commissioners’ compensation schedule and a separate change to road‑commissioner pay.
The board adopted Resolution 2024‑14 to “establish and adopt the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners compensation for 2025 through 2028,” approving a 3% annual increase in each year from 2025 through 2028. County staff said the action was required by state law because of new four‑year terms and that the plan reflected discussion at the Nov. 25 meeting.
The board also approved a request from the county’s road commissioners to raise the annual stipend to $9,500 per commissioner with an additional $500 for the chair, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The motion added an automatic 3% annual increase beginning Jan. 1, 2026, for a six‑year period; commissioners amended the motion to set the six‑year horizon before final approval.
Commissioners debated whether the automatic increase should have a sunset, term limits, or periodic review. Some members said an ongoing automatic increase could be difficult to reverse during tight budget years; others argued the pay adjustment recognized the road commissioners’ workload and aligned with the county’s broader compensation planning.
Both measures were approved by voice vote. The board also discussed a parallel countywide wage study and emphasized the need to treat county staff and elected officials consistently in the coming budget cycle.
