Lincoln County reappoints department heads, approves pay plan that front-loads raises for most elected officials
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Summary
The board reappointed four department heads and adopted Resolution 2026-04 option B, which applies an 8.27% increase in year one and 2% in subsequent years for most elected officials; county commissioners' pay remains flat. The motion passed after debate about inflation, budget constraints and alternatives.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reappointed multiple department heads and approved a multi-year pay plan for most elected officials at its Jan. 12 meeting.
Appointments: The board moved to reappoint Jason Schultz as highway superintendent, Brandon Myers as Region 51 emergency management director, Tom Herndon as noxious weed superintendent, and Tom Gann as veteran service officer. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.
Salaries and Resolution 2026-04: Commissioners reviewed three compensation templates (options A, B and C). Option A proposed a higher up-front adjustment (8.27% followed by 3% in later years); option B proposed an 8.27% front-loaded increase followed by 2% in subsequent years; option C proposed 2% annually with county commissioners held flat. After debate that included references to CPI and budget pressures, a motion to adopt option B prevailed by roll call. The transcript records dissenting "No" votes by Commissioners Woodruff and Weems in the roll-call excerpt provided.
Commissioners discussed effective timing for pay changes and the payroll timeline; the board agreed on an effective date tied to payroll processing and referenced an effective date in mid-January to avoid retroactive pay issues.
Why it matters: The salary decision adjusts pay for most elected officials and reflects the board's effort to balance market/collegial fairness with tight county budgets. Commissioners emphasized fiscal caution while acknowledging contributions of department heads and elected officials.
What happens next: Payroll and human-resources staff will implement the approved increases effective on the date specified by the clerk; the county will document the resolution and file necessary payroll changes.