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Committee adopts recommended salary adjustments for sheriff and clerk of courts
Summary
The executive committee approved a resolution recommending a 10% increase in year one for the sheriff and a 5% increase in year one for the clerk of courts (each followed by 3% thereafter), citing pay compression and market pressures; the item passed unanimously and will follow statutory procedures.
The Washington County Executive Committee approved a resolution setting recommended salary adjustments for two constitutional officers to be elected this fall.
Staff told the committee the proposal aims to address internal pay compression and market pressures. The recommendation calls for a 10% increase for the sheriff in the first year (2026–27) followed by 3% annually thereafter; the clerk of courts would receive a 5% increase in year one and 3% thereafter. The presenter said the recommendation is intended to correct compression created when supervisors and other positions outpaced the sheriff’s pay growth.
Supervisors discussed the potential ripple effect on other county employees and recalled past debates when a proposed sheriff increase was scaled back. One supervisor warned that, without careful attention, raising the sheriff’s pay could prompt other employees to seek higher compensation, exacerbating compression. Supporters argued the sheriff’s increase is a corrective action given market pressures for deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers.
The committee voted by voice to approve the resolution (motion by Supervisor Kelling, second by Supervisor Schwab); the motion passed unanimously. The resolution will proceed according to statutory requirements for setting constitutional officer salaries.
Next steps: the approved recommendation will be forwarded for the appropriate statutory posting and consideration by the full county board as required.
