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Board approves 2026 commissioner salary increase after debate over equity and competitiveness
Summary
After debate, the Olmsted County Board approved a proposed 10% salary increase for county commissioners intended to move pay toward county medians; opponents said the raise is large compared to employee increases. County administrator Travis Grancy noted members may decline increases in writing before they take effect.
The Olmsted County Board voted to approve a 2026 salary adjustment for county commissioners after a debate over pay equity and competitiveness.
A commissioner asked to pull item J from the consent agenda for separate discussion, citing budget concerns and noting that the proposed raise would represent another 10% increase for commissioners. That speaker said county commissioners in Olmsted County are “the fourth highest paid per capita in the state” and contrasted commissioner raises with recent employee cost-of-living increases.
Commissioner Hopkins (named in the discussion) and another member argued the 10% increase was excessive and said commissioner pay should mirror employee percentage raises. Supporters countered that raises are part of a multi-year effort to bring commissioner pay toward the median for comparable counties and to attract qualified candidates. One commissioner summarized the approach as staged increases to reach parity rather than a single large jump.
Travis Grancy, the county administrator, reviewed the annual elected-official salary study and reminded the board that the board’s operating rules allow any member to decline a salary increase in writing before its effective date. "Each county board member shall have the option to decline any salary increase in writing if they so choose," Grancy said.
After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026 Olmsted County commissioner salaries and in-county expense allowance was seconded and approved by the board.
