Reno County commissioners voted to leave their pay unchanged following an extended debate about whether raising compensation would broaden the pool of potential candidates and ease staffing and HR burdens.

Staff presented several options, including restoring the pre-administrator-era pay (about $18,000), an interim $21,156 figure to reflect employee pay increases, or a $25,000 benchmark aligned with county averages. Commissioners cited both practical and political reasons for opposing an immediate change: some said higher pay could help attract future candidates and reduce HR problems, while others said taking a raise now would be difficult to justify to taxpayers.

Commissioners also reviewed time logs. One commissioner reported an average of roughly 10.5 hours per week over a month-long sample, while the chair reported 78 hours over a five-week period (about 16 hours per week). Staff noted options for implementation, including making any increase contingent on the 2027 budget or making it effective immediately with offsetting budget authority.

A motion to "leave it as is" was moved, seconded and carried by roll-call vote. The commission did not adopt any change to the pay schedule at this meeting.

The vote resolves the item for now; commissioners said future boards could revisit the matter or include adjustments as part of the 2027 budget process.