Daniels County commissioners approve 76¢ hourly increase for elected officials after 2.9% proposal fails

Daniels County commissioners voted June 16 to recommend a flat 76¢-per-hour increase for elected officials after a proposal to give a 2.9% cost-of-living adjustment failed.

The commission debated two options at length: a percentage-based COLA that would give larger increases to higher-paid officials, and a flat-dollar approach that would keep the increment equal for each office. Commissioner Mike (S3) said he favored the dollar figure, arguing it is more equitable for lower-paid offices: “Myself, I would be inclined for the dollar figure and not the percentage,” he said during discussion. A motion for a 2.9% increase drew only a single affirmative vote and failed. Commissioners then moved to a 76¢-per-hour increase; the record shows that motion passed after commissioners counted seven votes in favor.

Commissioners and staff discussed implementation details and the broader budget effects. Staff noted statutory constraints that link deputies’ pay to elected-official salaries in some offices, which can limit how individual offices set deputy wages. Commissioners asked finance staff to model how the approved increase will flow through the county payroll and to return with figures for the next budget cycle.

Why it matters: The change affects the county’s elected officials directly and has knock-on effects for deputies and other positions whose pay is tied by policy or statute. Commissioners framed the vote as balancing fairness and fiscal prudence ahead of the fall budget process.

What’s next: Staff was directed to prepare formal budget adjustments and an implementation plan for the next fiscal year; commissioners said they will revisit employee-wide raises and merit pay schedules in follow-up meetings.