Douglas County to consider pay bump for elected officials

Mar. 12—SUPERIOR — Elected officials who manage Douglas County departments will likely see a pay increase following the November election.

The administration committee is recommending a 4% annual salary increase for the county clerk, county treasurer and register of deeds starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Natasha Schmid, human resources director, said she considered general staff increases over the last four years, the clerk of courts salary and the fact that elected officials earn about 3% less than other county department heads when proposing the new pay scale.

"Remember, these elected officials are our department heads," said County Board Chairman Mark Liebaert. He said he suggested the 4% increase because — unlike other department heads in the county — placing elected officials on a normal pay scale where salaries increase with time on the job is not possible.

State law governs elected officials' salaries.

"I know that we're behind on this," Liebaert said. "I also know that we have to treat other elected officials with the same dignity."

He said with other county employees receiving a 4% increase, it only makes sense for elected officials to be treated the same.

"They should be employees because they are critical," said supervisor Nick Baker. "Then we could deal with these situations correctly. Anybody, without any experience, can attempt to get elected to those positions. ... I think Mark hit it on the head. This is something we have to do."

The new salary for county clerk would be $78,132.38 starting Jan. 1; the register of deeds and treasurer would earn $72,503.73 under the new pay scale with a 4% increase annually over the subsequent three years of their terms.

Supervisor Alan Jacques said it would likely cost the county much more to handle many of the tasks handled by the county clerk's office that are beyond routine responsibilities.

"I think we get good value," Jacques said.

The Douglas County Board will consider the new salaries March 21.