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Board approves 4% pay adjustment for unrepresented staff and gives conceptual OK to 7% supervisors' increase (each passed 4‑1)
Summary
The board approved a 4% wage increase for most unrepresented classifications and gave conceptual approval to amend county code to increase supervisors' salaries by 7%; both actions passed with a 4‑1 vote (Supervisor Vierkamp opposed).
The board voted Feb. 10 to approve two personnel compensation actions. Item 26 authorizes a 4% base‑wage increase for most unrepresented classifications (about 150 employees, including appointed department heads and confidential employees). Item 27 asks for conceptual approval to amend the county code to raise supervisors’ salaries by 7%.
Human Resources staff said the unrepresented group received a 3% adjustment in November 2024 and that the additional 4% is intended to bring parity with negotiated settlements for represented groups. HR presented comparator data showing supervisors’ pay is roughly 40.19% below the median of selected comparator counties; staff characterized the supervisors' 7% request as parity movement to close that gap and noted a more comprehensive total‑compensation study will return to the board in March.
Board members expressed discomfort with voting on their own pay but several said the increase is necessary to attract and retain qualified supervisors given the demands of the job. Supervisor Parlin said approving the two items completes the last step in the recent bargaining round and aligns with the county’s compensation philosophy; Supervisor Vierkamp registered the single no vote on each item, citing timing and budget concerns.
Both items passed by recorded voice votes (item 26: motion passed 4‑1; item 27: motion passed 4‑1). The unrepresented wage adjustment will take effect the first pay period following adoption; the supervisors’ change requires an amendment to county code and staff described item 27 as conceptual approval to start that process.
Why it matters: The moves are intended to reduce pay compression and improve recruitment/retention for county staff and elected supervisors. Critics and some public commenters argued raises are ill‑timed given recent budget tightening, layoffs and frontline staff pay concerns.
What’s next: HR said it will return in March with comprehensive compensation study results and implementation details.
