The Greene County Board of Supervisors have discussed and shared their opinions about the compensation board’s recommendation for salary increases for county elected officials.

For the first time in recent memory, the compensation board is recommending specific dollar amount raises for each elected official instead of an across-the-board percentage increase. Board Chair John Muir said they have to consider all elected officials and in 20 years, the salary raises will not be sustainable for the county to continue to pay. Supervisor Mick Burkett sided with the compensation board’s recommendation, but if they were to cut everyone’s salary by the same percentage, they would need to look at that too.

What was proposed at the compensation board meeting on January 16th was the county attorney at $6,800 (over 7% increase), auditor at $5,000 (over 8% increase) , recorder and sheriff at $3,000 (over 6% and 4% respective increases), $1,700 for treasurer (close to 3% increase) and $5,000 total for supervisors ($1,000 for each supervisor for an over 3.5% total increase).

The Supervisors can only lower the overall percentage of the recommended amounts and can’t raise anyone’s salary recommendations. They can also act on their own salary recommendation separately. Supervisor Tom Contner wasn’t against a cost of living raise, but he pointed out that the county’s health insurance plan is big benefit for him. Supervisor Vice-Chair Dawn Rudolph said their position has changed as a supervisor, as they’re basically on-call 24-hours a day. She added that she would consider taking a zero percent raise again, but would also consider lowering it. Supervisor Pete Bardole offered a three percent raise as a solution.

Muir mentioned the reason the compensation board made the dollar amount recommendation was to get the elected county officials up to the state’s average for their respective offices.

The Board recently decided to not separate themselves from the other elected officials and will make a final decision on the compensation board’s recommendation at a regular meeting next month.