Boundary County prosecutor asks for pay increases to fill three attorney vacancies

Boundary County Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the county commissioners on the record that his office is seeking substantial salary increases to address a shortfall of three attorneys and persistent recruitment challenges. "We believe that they bring salary pay for prosecuting attorneys more in line with what's being paid in other counties," Johnson said, adding that applicants have largely appeared only when positions were advertised at levels "up to 130 thousand."

Johnson said the office interviewed candidates at roughly $119,000 and at $130,000 and that one out-of-area prospect declined an offer even when the office pitched $135,000 because the move would have been about a $20,000 pay cut for that candidate. "We're still having staffing issues," Johnson said. "Attorneys in the area are still a commodity. They're tough to come by."

The prosecutors told the commissioners they currently are three attorneys short (not including a position previously eliminated to fund raises). Johnson emphasized that the gaps include a civil position and felony prosecutor roles, which has stretched the remaining staff and delayed some work. "Being three attorneys short the workload is spread thin and that's why...sometimes we take a little bit longer," he said.

Commissioners responded that they understand the request but must weigh it against county budget constraints. One commissioner said they would "run the numbers" and review available funds, and the chair cautioned the county cannot go into debt to fund requests. The prosecutors noted benefits offered by the county are a recruiting asset and expressed hope that increases would close the gap with state-funded public defenders, who the office said are generally paid more.

Johnson also described operational requests tied to the budget ask: exploring reduced data-storage costs by using county IT instead of a third-party contract and a proposal to consolidate prosecutor offices into one secured location, possibly on the top floor of the old jail. He said consolidation would improve security and efficiency and cited an earlier incident in which two victim-witness coordinators and an intern were effectively blocked in a courthouse restroom as evidence of security risks under the current dispersed layout. "Having my office all in one location ... would be a huge step forward in security and also improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of my office," Johnson said.

No formal vote or decision was taken at the meeting. Commissioners said they would review the budget figures and follow up after running the county's numbers; staff indicated Jason Dye will handle the next part of the presentation or follow-up work.