Board sets elected-official salaries for 2027–2030, declines an immediate 6% amendment

HR Director Gary McLean presented four separate resolutions required under state law that set elected-official salaries for the 2027–2030 cycle.

The board approved: county commissioners at $45,000 per year (effective Jan. 1, 2027, for positions as their new terms begin); county assessor, county clerk, clerk of district court and county treasurer at $125,000 per year beginning Jan. 1, 2027; the county sheriff’s annual salary at $145,000; and the coroner at $85,000. Commissioners debated whether to amend the countywide-elected-officials resolution to add a 6% increase to account for inflation; that amendment failed on a roll-call vote (three no, two yes). The original salary resolutions were then approved as presented.

McLean explained the county-attorney pay discussion referenced recent legislative changes that index county-attorney pay toward circuit court judge salaries and that the state provided additional reimbursement intended to offset counties’ costs. During the meeting staff stated that the county would receive additional reimbursement from the state (roughly $22,000 as discussed) to offset the county attorney increase; discussion referenced a 6% adjustment in alignment with circuit-court indexing. The transcript contains an implausible transcription of the county attorney salary figure; the board discussion noted the change represents a 6% increase from the prior $145,000 figure and that state funds will offset much of the county's additional cost.

The board directed staff to incorporate these figures into the next budget model.