Lincoln County commission restores 5% raises for elected officials, approves 2.8% increase for commissioners

The Lincoln County Commission voted Jan. 6 to restore a 5% pay increase for elected officials for 2026 and separately approved a 2.8% pay adjustment for the five commissioners.

The commission first considered a motion to apply a 5% increase to elected officials after Carrie Allen, director of human resources, told the board a market study is underway and would take about four months to complete. Commissioner Otten moved to apply the 5% increase so elected-official pay would align with other county employees; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Public speakers questioned the timing and the underlying study. "Why should I keep going backwards if you guys keep going forwards?" said Scott Montgomery, who told the board he received a 2.8% increase and urged caution. Steven Lennox asked whether the market study had been completed and what would be done with its results; Allen said the study was just starting and would take about four months to finish.

Separately, commissioners debated changes to the commissioners' own pay. Allen said the budget included a 5.5% figure and presented three options. Commissioners offered competing motions — including proposals to cut pay by 5%, to limit increases, and to set a conservative two-point-something percent raise. After discussion that invoked fairness to taxpayers, the time commissioners spend on travel and meetings, and the need to attract qualified candidates, the commission voted to approve a 2.8% increase for the commissioners.

Commissioner Arons argued a larger increase would be "a slap in the face to taxpayers," citing local wage trends, while others said reasonable compensation is necessary to attract and retain competent public servants. The HR director said the market study would provide additional data before future adjustments.

The actions approved at the meeting are recorded in the commission's minutes and were made by roll-call votes.