Public hearing on pay increases draws objections from resident

The commission opened a statutorily required public hearing about proposed increases in compensation for county officers under Senate Bill 91. Auditor Charlene explained the policy: a 3% cost-of-living adjustment broadly, an additional 1% for elected officials, and a potential 1% merit for qualifying supervisory heads. Charlene said the sheriff—s department implemented a wage scale that led to larger percentage increases in some positions.

During public comment, Deanna Hardy of the Brigham/Bridal Community of Liberty objected to any pay increases. She told commissioners, “There should not be any an increase for anybody,” and criticized the scale of some raises she calculated, saying, for example, that "your sheriff is gonna make a $17,000 increase" and that many elected offices would see around $4,000 increases. She urged the commission to reject the increases. After public comment the commission closed the hearing and later adopted the budget that included the proposed adjustments.