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Subcommittee recommends 0% first year, 2% second year for next-term elected-official salaries
Summary
The Policy and Procedure Subcommittee voted to recommend no increase in year one and a 2% increase in year two for elected-official salaries in Strafford County, citing recent large adjustments, budget pressure and rising insurance costs; the recommendation passed 4–1 and goes to the delegation for approval.
The Policy and Procedure Subcommittee on Feb. 13 recommended setting elected-official salaries at 0% for the first year and 2% for the second year of the next two-year term, a measure the panel approved on a 4–1 roll-call vote.
The decision came after the committee reviewed packet materials that included a county comparables table and a separate sheet showing current salaries and modeled costs for 2%, 4% and 6% increases. Chair opened the meeting by saying the subcommittee’s role was to set salaries for the next term so prospective candidates know what the position pays.
The county attorney, speaking to the group, described additional legal duties he performs for the county — including representing the jail in non-monetary suits — and told the committee, “I am currently representing the House of Corrections on 50 habius petitions since October,” which he said factors into workload comparisons with other counties. The county attorney also said those cases generally do not create separate filing costs and are handled as part of office time.
The sheriff told the committee her office manages transport fees from the U.S. Marshals and immigration authorities and that Strafford County’s mix of responsibilities and revenue streams affects salary comparability with other counties. “We are actually taking in income that most of the other counties are not,” the sheriff said.
Members discussed inflation (reported in the meeting at about 3.1%) and recent health-insurance cost increases; staff noted the county budget included roughly a $1 million increase in health-insurance expenses this year. Several members argued that because the county recently made large salary adjustments and is absorbing rising benefits costs, a flat first year followed by a modest second-year increase was prudent. Others said keeping pay competitive matters for recruitment and retention in positions such as sheriff and county attorney.
After debate, a motion proposing 0% in the first year and 2% in the second year was made and seconded. The subcommittee conducted a roll-call vote; Representative Kazinski voted no, and the remaining members voted yes. The motion passed and the committee adjourned. The recommendation now goes to the full delegation (the body that must approve final salary changes) for consideration.
The packet presented to the subcommittee included modeled cost estimates for 2%, 4% and 6% increases but specific dollar totals were not stated on the record and will be part of the delegation’s review. The subcommittee’s vote applies to the salary schedule for the next two-year term; members noted that the delegation may revisit the figures if circumstances change.
The meeting concluded without further action; the delegation will receive the subcommittee’s recommendation for final action.
