The Greene County supervisors at their Jan 23 meeting approved raises of 3.75 percent for themselves, all other elected officials, and the deputy in each office, for Fiscal Year 2026 (begins July 1, 2025).
The wage increase is close to what the other elected officials – treasurer, auditor, recorder and sheriff – requested.
Auditor Billie Hoskins provided the supervisors with information from other counties in which the supervisors or an appointed compensation board have made salary recommendations for the new fiscal year. After reviewing it, supervisor Dawn Rudolph commented that the average recommendation was between 2 and 4 percent.
Supervisor Pete Bardole said he had been considering “the 3.5 range.” Rudolph agreed. Supervisor Joe Gannon also said he’d like to see what a 3.5 percent increase would look like in the budget.
Supervisor Dan Benitz proposed “a compromise” at 3.75 percent. He made the motion, it was seconded by Bardole, and the motion passed unanimously.
Effective July 1, salaries will be as follows: county attorney increased from $136,345 to $141,458; auditor increased from $81,011 to $84,049; recorder increased from $77,039 to $79,928; sheriff, increased from $114,577 to $118,874; treasurer increased from $78,309 to $81,246.
The deputy (chief deputy in the sheriff’s office) receives 75 percent of the elected official’s salary.
The supervisors briefly discussed the opening the previous day of bids for the construction of a new jail. All five supervisors were at that special meeting. Bids came in as expected, although no total amount was provided. Electrical bids are due Jan. 29.
The supervisors discussed where offices will be relocated during the installation of a new HVAC system at the courthouse, with planning moving forward. However, they have yet to lock in funding for the $3.4 million project.
Rural voters twice voted against a measure that would have allowed LOSST (local option sales & service tax) revenue to be used for the project. County officials learned after the second election that they could make that fund transfer. County treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen has assured them there is enough in the LOSST fund to make payments on a bond of that size.
Using that method, the supervisors must first hold a public hearing on the fund transfer. If the supervisors then decide to make the transfer, voters would be able to file a petition to have the question put on a ballot. The ballot measure needs to be part of a general election, with November 2025 being the first possible date.
