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Kalkaska County panel approves $1-an-hour equivalent pay increase for most elected officials
Summary
The personnel special committee approved a motion to grant elected officials (except county commissioners and the Drain Commissioner) the equivalent of a $1.00-per-hour increase for 2025 — about $2,080 annually — after Sheriff Whiteford raised concerns about continuing wage disparities.
The Kalkaska County Personnel Special Committee voted May 20, 2025 to authorize the equivalent of a $1.00-per-hour increase for elected officials for 2025, except for members of the Board of Commissioners and the Drain Commissioner. The committee recorded the $1.00 hourly equivalency as $2,080 annually.
Sheriff Whiteford told the committee the increase previously requested in 2024 using 2023 comparison data had not been implemented and said the resulting wage disparity persisted. Commissioner Jeff Sieting moved to authorize the pay-equivalent increase; Commissioner Scott Matley supported the motion. Commissioner David Persons said he was concerned about the budgeting method and sought more information before endorsing the process. The motion passed by majority support (Sieting and Matley in favor; Persons opposed).
The committee did not record a detailed roll-call of all votes beyond noting Persons opposition and the motions support. The committee did not alter the pay schedule for the Board of Commissioners or the Drain Commissioner as part of this action.
Next steps: the committee and relevant departments will reconcile how the increase is reflected in departmental payroll and budgets during upcoming budget work and follow-up meetings.
