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Washington County reviews proposed 2027 budgets and salary survey; clerk and sheriff note adjustments
Summary
During a July 6 budget workshop, the county clerk presented adjustments to the coroner and Building & Grounds budgets (including a Contracts line of $11,550), and Sheriff Matt Thomas discussed results of a salary survey that led to selective wage increases to remain competitive with nearby counties and state institutions.
County Clerk Donna White led a budget-workshop discussion July 6 reviewing proposed 2027 budgets and salary adjustments.
White said she had met with Coroner Gary Jensen and Sheriff Matt Thomas and reported changes to the coroner's budget: the fuel line was removed because the funeral home pays that expense, miscellaneous was removed, and Supplies-Office and Supplies-Other lines were added. White noted that the Building and Grounds Contracts line should read $11,550 and that adjustments were made to salary lines in the Justice Fund.
Sheriff Matt Thomas said he reviewed the salary survey with White and adjusted wages where appropriate to keep positions comparable with regional employers; he said the county competes with pay in Oregon and with the state prison. Commissioners discussed regional pay pressure and referenced Owyhee, Canyon and Ada counties in that context. White said the survey used data from Owyhee and Gem counties to set comparable rates.
Dahlia Stender, Juvenile Probation Supervisor, asked the board to ensure one department is not valued over another and noted staff training and qualifications, including POST attendance and criminal justice degrees for two employees. A donation line was added to the Search & Rescue proposed budget on both expense and revenue sides.
The board did not finalize all budget decisions at the meeting; adjustments will continue as staff and elected officials reconcile salary and line-item amounts.
