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State to add about $22,100 to county-attorney pay; Sheridan County weighs raise options
Summary
A Sheridan County county attorney told commissioners the Legislature approved an extra state contribution of $22,123.90 (plus per-deputy funding) to help county attorneys recruit and retain staff; the board discussed how much the county should add to reach competitive pay.
Kenny Castas, Sheridan Countys human resources director, opened the meeting with examples of how different adjustment models would affect elected pay and county finances. "County employees over the last 4 years have received approximately 15% increase since the elective's last increase," Castas told the board as he walked through 2.5% scenarios and alternatives such as a $5,000-per-year option.
County Attorney Diana summarized recent legislative action and an LSO letter showing the state will add targeted funding for elected prosecutors. "Starting in fiscal year 02/2028, the state is going to pay each county or district attorney an extra $22,123.90," she said, and added the package includes a per-deputy contribution: "the state will be paying $13,805.31 for each deputy." Diana said both the $50,000 existing contribution and the new funds are restricted to salaries.
Diana argued the increase is aimed at addressing a statewide recruitment crisis for government attorneys: offices across Wyoming are losing staff or leaving positions vacant because local pay cannot compete with other jurisdictions. She urged the board to consider using the states cap increases (linked to circuit-judge levels) as one benchmark, while noting the county would still carry part of the cost.
Commissioners asked staff to produce line-item figures showing what the countys contribution would look like under different cap and fixed-dollar approaches ahead of the follow-up meeting next week.
