The Greene County Compensation Board met yesterday.

The seven-person board discussed possible salary raises for county-elected officials including the Supervisors, the Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer and Recorder.

Treasurer Donna Lawson asked the Board for a four percent raise for herself, the auditor and recorder. She noted that in the Treasurer’s office, she has had to take on additional responsibilities with the federal government changing how to handle driver’s licenses when the instructor isn’t available. Supervisor Chair John Muir suggested that the Supervisors receive no increase in pay and a two percent raise for all other elected officials.

The Board came to a unanimous decision for a 2.5 percent salary increase. Chair Mary Jane Fields explains why they decided on a 2.5 percent raise.

“Elected officials who are the department chairs shouldn’t be equal in salary or should take an increase just as their employees do. Another thing is, we kind of felt that it should be kind of held because land assessed value has gone down, price of gas in down and health insurance benefits are the same at no extra cost. Just kind of looking to the future and being a little more conservative than in other years.”

Another reason is to keep county elected officials on target with similar-sized counties and their salaries within 95 percent.

The Supervisors will consider the Compensation Board’s recommendation at a future meeting.