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Public hearing held on executive county officer pay changes required by new state law
Summary
Commissioners held a statutorily required public hearing under Utah Code 17-6-14 on proposed compensation adjustments for executive county officers; most affected positions were proposed to receive a 2.5% adjustment (1.5% step + 1% COLA); commission clarified elected commissioners typically only accept COLA.
The Iron County Commission held a public hearing on executive county officer compensation required by new state law (cited during the meeting as Utah Code 17-6-14). Auditor Lucas Little explained the hearing's scope and outlined which positions qualify as executive county officers, including department heads, deputies and contracted officers.
Little said most recommended adjustments reflect a 2.5% total change (a 1.5% step increase combined with a 1% cost-of-living adjustment). He noted that some officers are contract positions (for example, the public defender) and not county employees and that these distinctions affect implementation. He also explained how the county's proposed change relates to the broader step-and-grade system for administrative staff.
Commissioners clarified that the commission historically has taken only COLA adjustments and not separate step increases; the county's proposed adjustment for commissioners was described as a 1% COLA (the commission salary figure presented for 2025 including benefits was $58,843.41). Members of the public questioned pay levels and benefits; a speaker asked whether benefit costs were included in published figures and whether past CJC grant repayments were commission-approved.
After public comment and discussion, the hearing was closed. No separate commission action on pay changes was taken at that time beyond the public hearing; payroll and compensation adjustments will be implemented in accordance with the code and staff recommendations if adopted in budget and personnel processes.
