The Carroll County Board of Supervisors voted this morning (Monday) to cut the county compensation board’s recommendation for elected official salary increases by 57 percent of what was initially proposed. At their December meeting, the compensation board approved a proposal for a 17 percent increase for the Sheriff, 12 percent for the Treasurer, Recorder, and County Attorney, 10 percent for the Auditor, and nine percent for the Supervisors. Chairwoman Stephanie Hausman explained what options were available to the board.
District 2 Supervisor Mike Andersen, who is serving his first term in office, noted his displeasure with the compensation board process before the supervisors moved into discussions.
District 3 Supervisor Gene Meiners says the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 recommendations were too high for the board to accept without cuts. He made the initial proposal for a 50-percent decrease, but his motion died due to a lack of a second. Andersen suggested a 60.7-percent cut to the recommendation, which also died for lack of a second. Three other proposals for 60 percent, 55 percent, and 52 percent reduction failed without a second or on a tie vote. A motion from Hausman for a 57 percent reduction from the compensation board’s recommendation was the one to gain enough support to pass, with three in favor and one, Meiners, opposed. Supervisor Scott Johnson says that reduction still ends with increased pay for elected officials.
The total effect on the FY24 budget, including the pay increase, IPERS contributions, and FICA, is approximately $75,000. The board also approved a 6 percent raise for the county’s non-union, non-elected staff with Hausman as the sole nay vote. The estimated impact of that adjustment is an additional $450,000 in FY24 salaries and wages for the county.
