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Park County keeps most elected salaries unchanged but raises county attorney pay to match deputy
Summary
After reviewing wage scenarios, the Park County commissioners voted to keep most elected-official salaries the same for the next term and to raise the county attorney—s salary under a workload-based scenario to equal the deputy—s pay, citing recruitment concerns and budget trade-offs.
Park County commissioners voted to retain current pay levels for most elected officials but approved a one-off increase to the county attorney—s salary to equalize it with the deputy county attorney.
During a lengthy presentation and discussion of a salary study, Park County Assessor Terry Call outlined five scenarios for adjusting elected-official pay using metrics such as valuation, population and cost-of-living. Commissioners questioned benefits comparisons and the downstream effects of any raises on deputies and departmental budgets.
Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to keep existing salaries for most elected positions while applying the workload-based scenario adjusted for inflation to the county attorney—s pay, which the motion described as bringing the attorney's salary to roughly $127,047.60 to align with the deputy—s level. Commissioner (speaker 2) seconded the motion. Commissioners debated recruitment challenges in the attorney—s office and whether raising the elected official—s pay would create budget pressure elsewhere; supporters said the move was needed to retain and attract qualified attorneys, and noted the state reimburses roughly 50% of the county attorney—s pay.
The board approved the motion by voice vote. The chair recorded the motion as carried; no roll-call tally by name was recorded in the transcript. Commissioners emphasized that the overall pay decision was being made amid budget uncertainty, noting possible future constraints from citizen initiatives and valuation changes.
The salary-setting resolution will be entered into the record as part of the county—s four-year statutory salary-setting process; commissioners said they could revisit pay adjustments in future budget cycles but must set salaries now for the upcoming term.
Next steps: the county will finalize the resolution language and incorporate the change into the FY2026-27 budget process and payroll planning.
