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DeKalb County board approves amended elected‑official salary package and $100 per‑diem to take effect after 2028 election
Summary
After extended debate and multiple amendments, the board approved an amended package raising certain elected officials’ baseline pay and changing county board per diem to $100 effective after the 2028 election; the motion carried on a roll‑call vote with one abstention.
The DeKalb County Board approved an amended compensation package for several county elected officials and an amendment setting the county board per diem to $100 to take effect after the Nov. 2028 election.
Members debated a resolution that included baseline adjustments and multi‑year increases for positions such as county clerk, recorder and treasurer. One amendment — described and seconded during debate — set the baseline for specified elected positions at $131,600 in 2027 with a 3% increase in each subsequent listed year. Another amendment set the county board per diem at $100 and specified the increase would take effect for the next full term after the 2028 election to comply with constitutional limits on raising compensation during a current term.
Board members voiced competing concerns: supporters argued pay and per‑diem increases are necessary for recruitment and to reflect inflation and the time board service requires. One member said, “The per diem isn't just payment for your attendance at a meeting … it's in consideration of your time as board members,” emphasizing constituent work and site visits. Opponents cautioned about fiscal impact and urged restraint.
The package was approved on roll call after amendments; the chair announced the motion carried with one abstention. The board also discussed implementation mechanics and the constitutional rule that prevents changing compensation during current terms, which shaped the timing language in the amendment.
Next steps: the compensation plan as amended will be implemented according to the timetable adopted (the $100 per diem after the 2028 election and baseline/schedule for specified elected positions), and staff will update payroll/ordinance language and publish implementation dates.
