Adams County committee sets 2027–2030 pay schedules for clerk and sheriff after lengthy debate
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Summary
The Adams County finance committee approved a 4%–4%–2%–2% schedule for the clerk of circuit courts and amended the sheriff’s pay to 3% across the 2027–2030 term after extended debate over parity and budget risk; the resolution will move to the full county board for final action.
The Adams County finance committee voted to set compensation for the clerk of circuit courts at 4% in 2027 and 2028 and 2% in 2029 and 2030, and it amended the sheriff’s proposed increases to 3% per year across the same term. The committee advanced the resolution to the full county board for final consideration.
The clerk of circuit courts, speaking to the committee, said the office requested an $85,000 salary for the 2027–2030 term and explained that recent legislative action increased biennial court support payments. “As a result of legislative efforts by myself and other clerks of court, we have experienced a 30% increase in our biannual court support payments,” the clerk told the committee, adding that the payments had increased from “approximately $58,000 twice per year to $88,000 twice per year,” funds the clerk said are commonly used to cover operational costs, including salaries.
Several supervisors pushed back on raising elected officials’ pay without cautioning about budgetary consequences. “We have to balance what we can do and what we can’t,” Supervisor Pease said, urging restraint because of uncertain cost-of-living projections and the possibility of cascading raises elsewhere in county compensation. Finance staff clarified the county’s recent cost-of-living adjustments and step increases for staff and noted the clerk’s office had new, additional court-support revenue that partially offsets a higher salary.
The committee debated multiple amendment proposals. An initial amendment to set the sheriff at a 3%, 3%, 2%, 2% schedule failed. Later, members approved an amendment setting the sheriff’s pay to 3% for each of the four years. The committee then retained the clerk’s proposal at the 4%–4%–2%–2% schedule.
Chair Robert Edwards handled several procedural questions as supervisors asked staff to display comparative data and cost projections. Finance staff said the clerk’s fund balance related to court support had been rising and that step increases for staff (roughly 1.8%–2% every one to two years) affect comparative fairness for elected officials.
The committee’s action was procedural: it forwarded the amended compensation resolution to the full county board. The county board will review the committee’s recommendations and vote on final adoption.