After heated debate, Dodge County approves multi-year pay increases for clerk of courts and sheriff

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors voted in February 2026 to adopt new multi-year salary schedules for two elected positions ahead of the 2027 election cycle, approving the clerk of courts measure 16–12 and the sheriff measure 21–7 after extended debate over market comparables and fiscal responsibility.

The measures originated from the HR committee, which used a market study (McGrath) and a set of comparable counties (Green Lake, Columbia, Fond du Lac, Jefferson and Washington) to recommend catch-up increases. HR staff summarized the comparables and explained that the goal was to bring the positions closer to market after several years without equivalent increases. The HR director said the committee used multiple data points in its recommendation and characterized the action as an effort to “catch them up” so future years would need smaller adjustments.

Board members split sharply. Supervisor Klobuchar said the sheriff’s position was “32% lower than surrounding counties,” arguing that a larger initial increase was necessary to attract qualified candidates; other supervisors questioned the comparison and the timing given the county’s fiscal pressures. Supervisor Belk argued the proposals were excessive and warned of budget strain, saying the county must be mindful of operational costs. An amendment to reduce the proposed increases to 3% across the years was brought forward and defeated in the clerk vote, and a similar amendment was considered during the sheriff discussion.

The clerk of courts resolution (filed in the packet as Resolution 2564) was debated first after the board agreed to divide the original combined resolution. HR staff gave specific comparables and a compensation-structure illustration showing the relative placement of the positions. After debate and an unsuccessful amendment to lower increases, the clerk resolution passed 16–12.

For the sheriff, the committee originally recommended an 8% increase in year one followed by 3% in subsequent years to begin closing the gap described by comparables. Supervisors raised concerns about compression with internal staff, cost-of-living comparisons and the optics of large raises for elected officials who are not in the wage schedule. The board ultimately approved the amended sheriff schedule (8% then 3%/3%/3%) by a 21–7 vote.

What’s next: The salary changes would take effect with the 2027 term and would be built into future budgets. HR staff and supervisors noted the changes are intended to be corrective measures so the county would not have to give similarly large raises in subsequent cycles.