McDonald County salary commission approves $2,000 base-pay increase for officeholders

The McDonald County Salary Commission voted to increase the base pay schedule for county officeholders by $2,000, a 4.65% rise, to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The commission said the increase is in addition to a 4% cost-of-living adjustment it approved in October.

County Clerk Jessica Cole raised questions at the meeting about whether the increase should apply during current terms or only beginning with subsequent terms. Commissioners and legal advisors read and cited RSMo 50.333(7) aloud; the minutes record the statute being read: "Such increase shall be expressed as a percentage of the compensation being paid during the term of office when the vote is taken, and each officer or office whose compensation is being established by the salary commission at that time shall receive the same percentage increase over the compensation being paid for that office during the term when the vote is taken. This increase shall be in addition to any increase mandated by an official's salary schedule because of changes in assessed valuation during the current term." The commission applied that reading in approving the increase.

The action follows a change in assessed valuation that took effect in 2024, which can alter the baseline compensation calculations under state law. The Salary Commission also noted it met on Oct. 20 and approved a 4% COLA at that time; the newly approved $2,000 raise is intended to be layered on top of that prior adjustment.

No mover or seconder for the salary commission motion is named in the minutes. The commission recorded the motion as approved and specified the increases are to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, for those in their current term and for subsequent terms.