Salary Board approves county compensation-plan amendment over one commissioner's objection

The Bedford County Salary Board approved an amendment to the county Compensation Plan, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, following a vote at its Jan. 13 meeting. Melissa Cottle moved the amendment and Commissioner Winck seconded; Commissioners Stiles and Baughman and Melissa Cottle voted to approve the change while Commissioner Winck voted no.

The board recorded Commissioner Winck's objection on the record. He said he had "a hard time personally voting for a pay raise for elected officials" when county finances may require tax increases and said the tax burden would affect future generations. Commissioner Baughman responded that the wages were set by elected officials in 2022 and that the current board is implementing a legally required schedule; Commissioner Stiles said denying small but necessary increases would be difficult given current starting wages.

The amendment was described in the minutes as based on the recommendation of the Bedford County Commissioners and was approved by the Salary Board. The minutes do not record further detail on exact percentage increases across the pay scale but set the amendment's effective date as Jan. 1, 2026.

The vote tally recorded in the minutes shows three yes votes (Commissioner Stiles, Commissioner Baughman, Melissa Cottle) and one no vote (Commissioner Winck). The minutes do not specify additional procedural steps beyond the board's approval; the amendment is logged as effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The board adjourned at 10:23 a.m. and the minutes note the next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026 unless called sooner.