Uinta County commissioners approve 3% pay increase for executive officers after extended debate

The Uinta County Commission approved a 3% salary increase for county executive officers — including elected county officials, department heads and appointed executive positions — effective Jan. 1, 2026, after a lengthy public discussion and an on‑the‑floor amendment to the original motion.

Human resources director Tanya presented county salary and inflation comparisons, saying the requested increases would return purchasing power lost since 2015 and that elected officials’ requested adjustments were “not beyond what inflation would have shown.” The commission held a public hearing on Sept. 16 as required by state law; the Oct. 28 meeting was the forum for the final vote.

The debate occupied much of the meeting. Commissioners and members of the public raised competing concerns about fairness, recruiting and retention, and optics of raising elected officials’ pay. One public commenter urged the commission to use merit and operational oversight when considering pay changes. Commissioners discussed several options during floor debate — ranging from no change to 15% — and the motion for a larger increase was amended on the floor to a 3% across‑the‑board increase before approval.

Commissioners clarified that two employees identified during discussion would receive additional, previously agreed adjustments: one a wage‑plan increase in the sheriff’s office and another pay bump tied to an earned certification. Staff said those two increases were separate from and in addition to the 3% adjustment approved for executive officers generally.

County counsel and staff noted that an increase in elected‑official salaries does not by itself raise property taxes; changing levy rates would require separate public hearings and procedures. Several commissioners said they considered equity with county employees, recruitment challenges for people leaving private sector jobs, and the county’s need for experienced staff when deciding their votes.

The vote was recorded as passing; individual roll‑call tallies were not read into the public record at the time of adoption. The commission directed staff to finalize the implementing resolution consistent with the motion and to return any necessary technical language for final minutes and publication.