Pike County Fiscal Court agrees county share for county attorney and sets coroner pay at $70,000

The Pike County Fiscal Court approved two personnel-pay decisions affecting county officials: agreeing to fund 40% of the incoming county attorney’s state-set salary and setting the coroner’s salary at $70,000.

Staff reminded the court that state law requires county official salaries be set before the primary election. The meeting record shows fiscal staff reporting the county’s portion for the incoming county attorney as $65,258.62; the court voted to agree to pay 40% of the state-set salary (the motion passed by roll call). The vote was recorded with Commissioners Scott, Adkins and Lewis and the presiding judge voting yes.

The coroner’s salary generated a lengthy discussion comparing Pike County’s current pay (described as about $31,000–$34,000 in meeting remarks) with higher figures in other counties. Commissioners proposed competing amounts (including motions for $65,000 and $75,000), then reached compromise on $70,000. The court moved, seconded and approved setting the coroner salary at $70,000 by roll-call vote.

Speakers framed the increases as recognition of the coroner’s around-the-clock duties, travel for autopsies, and exposure to difficult conditions. Commissioners said the salary-setting affects the incoming elected officials and must be done before the primary.