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Polk County adopts 2026 pay scale, approves 3% ceiling increase tied to CPI
Summary
The Polk County Board of Commissioners adopted a 2026 wage scale for county employees, setting specific top pay rates for road, public-safety and office positions and allowing a 3% maximum increase for non-law-enforcement hourly staff, a move tied to the latest consumer price index.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to adopt a 2026 pay scale that sets top hourly and annual salaries for county positions and allows limited across‑the‑board increases.
Commissioner Boss moved to adopt the pay scale; Commissioner Boruch seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The board said the adjustments amount to a 3% increase over last year, corresponding to the most recent Consumer Price Index report.
The adopted schedule sets maximum rates for key positions. Experienced road employees were capped at $26.19 per hour; county mechanic at $28.66 per hour; road foreman at $32.94 per hour; Weed Superintendent at $26.87 per hour. The Highway Superintendent position was set at a maximum annual salary of $63,794; Bridge Inspector at $15,949 per year. Office positions differ by office: clerks in the offices of Highway Superintendent, Survey, Weed Superintendent and Zoning Administrator were capped at $25.50 per hour; Deputy Clerk, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Assessor at $25.50 per hour; office clerks in the offices of Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor at $23.85 per hour.
Public-safety positions also received explicit caps: Deputy County Attorney at $55,085 annually; Chief Deputy Sheriff at $38.35 per hour; sergeants at $37.53 per hour; investigator at $36.94 per hour; deputy sheriffs at $35.03 per hour; dispatcher at $26.39 per hour. Custodian pay was capped at $24.44 per hour and the Health Director at $36.95 per hour. The board also authorized that any other non–law-enforcement hourly employees’ wages may be increased by a maximum of 3% per hour.
The action was recorded as a formal motion and approved by roll call. The board minutes show the wage decision followed discussion of county personnel budgets; the minutes state the increase ‘‘corresponds to the latest CPI report of the rate of inflation for the year.’' The full recorded motion and pay schedule are part of the official minutes available from the County Clerk’s office.
