A long, often tense discussion about pay grades and equity culminated in a committee motion to adjust the grades and move many elected officials to the Baker Tilly midpoint (the packet and discussion used a midpoint column adjusted previously by 3%). The conversation included competing proposals: some members urged taking every elected official to the same grade and midpoint, while others favored preserving higher grades for commissioners because of added responsibilities.

Arguments in favor of broader midpoint increases stressed recruitment and fairness. Kevin (the county assessor) said the county's use of stipends and longevity had created inequities and that the failure to move elected officials to midpoint would make it difficult to attract qualified candidates. "If you're not going to treat us the same, you're discouraging qualified people from running," he said. Other members countered that commissioners take on board-level responsibilities and that small increases may be appropriate rather than large regrades for every office.

After several iterations and suggestions (including making most elected offices 5-16, commissioners 5-17, and keeping council at a lower grade with a part-time percentage), the chair restated a composite motion: set commissioners to grade 5-17; set auditors, assessor, clerk, recorder, surveyor, treasurer and coroner to grade 5-16 (with midpoint applied); keep council at grade 5-14 but pay them a percentage (60%) of full midpoint to reflect part-time status; and apply the midpoint adjustment that had already been applied in earlier documents (the packet reflected the midpoint column used for other employees). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Committee members asked staff and the auditor to confirm the figures and incorporate the changes into the salary ordinance and materials for the upcoming council session.

Next steps: staff to produce a finalized salary-ordinance update showing new grades and midpoint-derived pay amounts for council review before formal reading.