Rice County approves 2026 salaries for sheriff and county attorney

The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 approved two salary resolutions for 2026 after public requests from the sheriff and the county attorney.

Sheriff Jesse Thomas told the board he was requesting an 8% increase for 2026, saying the sheriff's office is approaching a $16 million budget and stressing priorities including jail compliance and public-safety functions. "We're asking for an 8% salary increase for 2026," Thomas said, and presented budget comparisons and staffing information for commission review.

The county attorney, identified in the meeting as Bridal, outlined office work over the year and two initiatives: converting the office case-management system and helping establish a county mental-health court. Bridal said the office planned a 4% step increase for many attorneys plus a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment and asked the board for a 7.5% increase to maintain parity. "I'm asking for 7 and a half percent," Bridal said.

Following discussion, the board approved Resolution 25-052 setting the 2026 salary for the Rice County sheriff (the motion produced a figure of $193,007.94 based on the vote) and Resolution 25-053 setting the 2026 salary for the Rice County attorney (figure recorded as approximately $180,129.21). Both resolutions passed on voice votes; commissioners signaled "aye" and no opposition was recorded.

The board's votes were voice votes on the floor; no roll-call tallies with individual commissioner votes were recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: The resolutions set the official 2026 pay rates; any administrative adjustments or payroll implementation will be handled by county administration.