County leaders spent a sizable portion of the meeting on a resolution to establish basic salaries for elected officials and to consider raising the county sheriff's base salary under a state law change that took effect July 1, 2024. The district attorney's office and Sheriff Chris Elliott walked the board through the legislative change, noting it removed the sheriff from the county's prior basic-salary range and allows the sheriff's base to be set up to $25,000 higher than the other elected officials.

Sheriff Elliott and Under Sheriff Mark Seacrest summarized a market survey comparing local municipal and state law-enforcement pay. They argued that increasing the sheriff's base would permit a multi-step pay plan for deputies and detention officers, improving recruitment and retention. Jake, representing FOP Lodge 228, told commissioners the change is a "big deal" for deputies who now see few pay-step prospects and routinely lose trained officers to nearby municipalities and state agencies.

Commissioners asked about retroactivity and legal exposure. One commissioner referenced guidance the DA's office had circulated and noted any salary adjustments may require dealings with the board and budget process; the DA's office said the action ultimately needed to be recorded before the end-of-year reporting deadlines but did not require an immediate vote that same day. A motion to adopt the maximum salary increase (to the statutory cap discussed in the presentation) was moved by one commissioner but failed for lack of a second.

What happens next: Commissioners said they want more formalized presentations and documentation on cost, budget impact and step plans; staff and the sheriff's office indicated they will return with more detailed proposals or refined pay-step models for future consideration.