Committee delays action on elected officials’ pay, requests staggered‑increase option

The Finance & Administrative Committee paused action April 30 on a resolution to set compensation for countywide elected officials, directing staff to return next week with an amendment that would stagger 3% increases more frequently for several countywide offices.

Matt Myers, deputy county administrator, explained the policy framework: salaries for specified countywide offices are set using the same percentage the board approves for nonunion employees. For the offices on four‑year cycles (county clerk, treasurer, clerk of the circuit court), the proposed approach would apply the current 3% adjustment once per four‑year cycle as required by existing policy.

Member Amber Clark and others argued that infrequent increases make countywide offices less accessible to younger professionals and those not independently wealthy. “A four‑year gap without adjustment means these positions can lag real wages dramatically,” Member Clark said, urging a staggered approach that would apply 3% every two years instead of once every four.

Opponents cautioned that elected offices carry job security and that more frequent, guaranteed increases could lock the board into commitments in years when staff or other county employees receive no increases. Member Maine said elected officials accept a different risk/reward profile than career staff and questioned whether more frequent increases are appropriate.

After debate, the committee voted to postpone action and asked staff to draft a policy amendment that would allow more frequent staggered adjustments for the affected countywide offices; the committee also asked staff to bring the companion policy change for committee review before finalizing the resolution.