The Greene County supervisors awarded county elected officials salary increases ranging from 3 to 6 percent March 9 just prior to adopting the budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (beginning July 1, 2020).
The increases follow the recommendation of the compensation board last December. Receiving the comp board’s recommendation was an agenda item for the supervisors, but discussing it was not on the agenda since then.
County treasurer Katlynn Michaelsen is receiving the largest increase, a 6 percent raise that will up her annual salary from $59,157 to $62,706. The salary increase was recommended in recognition of the gains she has made in interest collected on the county’s investments since she took office Jan. 2, 2019.
County attorney Thomas Laehn’s salary will increase from $99,459 to $104,432, a 5 percent increase.
Sheriff Jack Williams’ salary will increase from $77,913 to $81,029, and recorder Marcia Tasler’s salary will increase from $60,415 to $62,813. Those are both 4 percent increases.
Auditor Jane Heun received a 3 percent salary hike from $62,981 to $64,870. The supervisors also gave themselves 3 percent salary increases, from $28,803 to $29,667 each.
The vote on the resolution was not unanimous, with supervisor Tom Contner voting nay. “I don’t like some of the percentages. It’s giving ourselves a raise,” he said.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph said, “Time spent on committee work has increased,” in support of the 3 percent increase for supervisors.
The deputy in the auditor’s, treasurer’s and recorder’s office, and the chief sheriff’s deputy are paid 85 percent of the corresponding elected official.
