Mojave County sets constable salaries; debate over restoring previous pay falls short

The Mojave County Board of Supervisors set salaries for the county’s constables on April 6, adopting figures required by Arizona statute and recommended by staff. The board approved $55,000 per year for four precincts and $20,000 for the North Canyon precinct, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Director Luke Morian explained the statutory framework: constable pay bands are determined by average documents served and registered‑voter populations in precincts. ‘‘If it is less than 100 on average, then the updated salary would be $20,000 per year,’’ Morian said. North Canyon fell under that threshold; the other precincts fell into higher bands.

Constable Mike Holgart, representing the constables, urged a higher level of pay and asked the board to restore a prior salary level. ‘‘The constable’s office is not there to create or generate revenue,’’ Holgart said. ‘‘We are there to serve the public.’’ He argued that prior cuts undermined recruitment and continuity.

Supervisors pressed budget figures presented by staff showing the constable program’s net general‑fund cost and debated whether the county can afford higher salaries. One supervisor noted the county’s ongoing general‑fund pressures and said statutory obligations require careful tradeoffs.

A motion to restore pay to $58,000 failed on a roll‑call voice vote. The board then approved the staff‑recommended base figures. Staff said the set salaries will be reflected in the FY27 budget and are fixed for the four‑year term unless changed by future board action or legislative changes.

Next steps: staff will include the adopted salary figures in the FY27 budget documents; constables and county staff may pursue legislative remedies for future pay adjustments.