A citizen commission voted Tuesday night to recommend 3 percent across-the-board salary increases for Whitman County elected officials in 2020, citing comparable cost of living increases for other county employees.
The Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials, created in 2004 by county commissioners, decides pay rates for officials based on comparable positions in other counties and local factors. The Lewiston Tribune reported last year that official salaries had doubled on average in the 14 years since the commission started. See historic data below.
Commission member Eric Reiber explained the board usually recommends a standard cost of living adjustment one year and then might make larger adjustments to match elected positions in comparable counties the next year.
“We tend to leapfrog, so we do a year of a COLA, which would be this year,” he said. “The following year we look at a market adjustment. Do we need to bring people up?”
The 3 percent raises will go to all elected county officials. Based on last year’s rates, those salaries would increase to about $74,430 for commissioners as well as $78,115 for assessor, auditor, clerk and treasurer. The coroner would receive $79,186 and the sheriff’s pay would increase to $107,408. The prosecutor’s salary could go up to $150,390 a year, which includes some pay from the state.
Commission Chair Jean Alexander-Brandt said she had received several questions about the “significant” raises recommended last year, including a 10 percent increase for the sheriff. She felt those increases had put local officials above average on pay.
“I think we’re looking pretty good,” she said, adding, “Personally, I wouldn’t go higher than 3 [percent this year], but I’m more leaning toward 2.5 [percent]. I don’t know what your thoughts are on the max. Are you thinking higher than that?”
Member Darren Jones noted that other county employees had received cost of living raises of 2.75 percent on average for 2019. The commission also noted the Consumer Price Index for the year was at about 2.5 percent.
“We should be in the ballpark of what everyone else in the county got,” Reiber said, adding, “I personally wouldn’t go below 2.5 [percent] and I have no problem with 3 [percent] as a top end. I have no problem with 3 [percent] for that matter because I tend to think county employees are underpaid on average.”
Several members discussed on-call demands for the sheriff and coroner positions. They noted elected officials do not receive overtime and sometimes have additional benefit expenses not covered by the county.
The commission also asked about how benefits and medical costs had changed this year. County Human Resources Director Kelli Campbell noted medical costs had gone up, but the county had also increased it contributions so out of pocket costs were similar for most employees.
After about 20 minutes of discussion, Reiber motioned for a recommendation of 3 percent across the board. None of the eight members in attendance objected.
“We don’t want to fall backwards and then have to make big jumps,” Jones said. “That’s pretty reasonable. Three percent is fairly typical.”
Alexander-Brandt also announced her departure from the commission. Jones was nominated to take over as chair.
County commissioners confirm members to the 10-person board. State law mandates recommendations must be incorporated into the county budget, but the county commission also has the authority to disband the board.
Update, July 11: Read the commission’s official June 28 recommendation letter, setting new salary rates.
Historic salary data from Whitman County: