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Madison County board approves 3% COLA and $3,000 pay increase for elected officials
Summary
At a May 26 compensation meeting, Madison Countyofficials approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and a separate $3,000 pay increase for elected officials after motions and recorded votes; apportionments for several offices were also confirmed.
The Madison County Compensation Board voted May 26 to approve a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for elected officials and a separate $3,000 pay increase, following motions during a special meeting in Virginia City.
Madison County Attorney David Buchler opened the meeting under Montana Code Annotated 7-4-2503, noting MACo's recommended CPI figure of 2.69% and citing national data that places Madison County among the state's highest in median home value and taxable valuation. That context framed discussion about elected-official pay and local ability to fund increases.
Commissioner William A. Todd moved to appoint Dino Fanelli, Dan Doornbos, Tony Treglia, Ken Walsh, Duncan Hedges, Jordan Allhands and Shelly Burke to the county compensation board; Commissioner Duke W. Gilman seconded and the motion was recorded as passing. The board then considered recommended apportionments for elected offices presented by Buchler: Clerk and Recorder $2,000; Treasurer $2,000; Clerk of District Court $2,000; Justice of the Peace $2,000; Sheriff $10,000 and $2,000 (as recorded in the meeting materials). The board voted to grant apportionments consistent with the prior year.
Commissioner Todd proposed a 3% COLA for all elected officials, a motion seconded by Commissioner Gilman; the board approved the 3% COLA. Separately, a motion by Dan Doornbos, seconded by Dino Fanelli, to increase elected officials' pay by $3,000 passed on a split vote. The recorded vote on the $3,000 increase listed votes in favor from Ronald E. Nye, Dino Fanelli, Dan Doornbos, Ken Walsh, Duncan Hedges, Jordan Allhands and Shelly Burke; William A. Todd, Duke W. Gilman and Tony Treglia voted against the motion.
Treasurer Shelly Burke raised a discussion about aligning elected officials' salaries more closely with department-head pay, citing the county finance department as an example; that point was discussed but no separate motion to change pay-setting practice was recorded. The meeting ended at 3:42 p.m.; the board scheduled its next regular meeting for June 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Building's Public Meeting Room in Virginia City.
All attributions in this article are based on statements recorded in the meeting minutes and attendee list.
