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Dolores County commissioners vote to seek legislative sponsor to lower elected-official classification
Summary
The Dolores County Board voted to seek a bill sponsor to move the county’s elected-official salary classification from 5C to 5B, after debate over timing, budget impacts and the need for an objective salary schedule.
Dolores County commissioners voted to seek legislative sponsorship to change the county’s elected-official salary classification from category 5C to 5B, a step that would alter statutory salary baselines for those offices.
Chair (S2) summarized the statutory process and recent CPI update for elected-official salaries, citing the county’s current placements: "For commissioners, it is $67,360. For sheriff, $75,511. And for treasurer, assessors and clerks it is $67,360." He told the board a county resolution and a legislative sponsor are required and that a resolution should be submitted early in the year to meet the legislative timeline.
Board members debated timing and trade-offs. Some members said acting now could increase the pay gap between commissioners and other elected officials in future cycles; a remote participant (S6) suggested waiting for the 2029 cycle. Chair (S2) outlined an alternate approach: adopting an objective salary schedule (a grade/step system) to reduce ad hoc deviations across positions.
Discussion included budget implications and potential savings from contracting services. Chair (S2) said contracting certain functions could cut costs — he cited an estimated $60,000 in savings from moving accounting and related services under an intergovernmental agreement. Concerns were raised that classification changes can create political perception issues when staffing cuts or service changes occur.
After discussion, Chair (S2) moved to seek sponsorship for the category change from 5C to 5B; the motion carried by voice vote. The board agreed to review a draft resolution and finalize language (including study or appropriation amounts) before formal submission to the legislature. Chair (S2) said he would circulate a revised resolution for edits.
The board did not set an effective date for any statutory change; the next step is drafting and seeking a legislative sponsor and then following the legislative process. The meeting record does not specify which legislator would sponsor the bill.
