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Executive committee approves recommended salaries for county attorney and sheriff; motion passes 2–1
Summary
Belknap County’s executive committee approved recommended salary amounts for elected officials, keeping most pay lines unchanged but specifying raises for the county attorney ($109,038) and the sheriff ($88,727); the motion passed by a 2–1 vote after brief debate about who should set salaries.
Belknap County’s executive committee voted on Feb. 13 to approve recommended salary amounts for elected county officials, keeping most positions at current funding levels while approving $109,038 for the county attorney and $88,727 for the sheriff.
The committee opened the item with staff noting a worksheet that showed current figures and a mock projection tied to county employee adjustments. A member said they felt "so unqualified to come up with people's salaries" and suggested county commissioners—who have closer oversight—should propose recommended figures instead.
A staff member told the committee the registry of deeds position "hasn't received an increase since 2022," noting that cumulative cost-of-living changes had left that post effectively flat in recent years. Another member said several people indicated they "would gladly do that job for that amount," underscoring local interest despite flat pay.
A committee member moved "to approve the suggested amounts ... to keep everything the same as far as funding levels except for the county attorney. We will approve the amount for 109,038 and then for the sheriff 88,727 as noted on this sheet here." Another committee member seconded the motion. The committee recorded a 2–1 vote in favor; the chair announced, "Two to one. Motion passes." The chair also noted the full delegation would review the item again.
The committee received budget materials in advance and opted not to conduct a detailed budget review at the meeting; staff and members agreed to revisit the budget with the full delegation. With no further business or public input, the committee adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Votes at a glance Motion: Approve the suggested salary amounts, keeping funding levels the same except approving $109,038 for the county attorney and $88,727 for the sheriff (as shown on the worksheet). Mover: Committee member (not named in transcript) Second: Committee member (not named in transcript) Tally: Yes 2, No 1 Outcome: Approved
Context: Staff presented a worksheet contrasting 2023–24 and 2025–26 lines and a mock of an employee pay adjustment for 2026; the committee debated who should set elected-official pay and noted the registry of deeds had been without an increase since 2022. The committee said the full delegation would review the salary schedule again.
