[Previous entry: "Court Grants Partial Stay Request -Good/Bad News"] [Next entry: "Proposed ADU Ordinance"]

06/01/2006: "Salary Commission Cuts Council Pay"

(File photo of Salary Commission)

The San Juan County Salary Commission (SC) has determined that the County Council members should be paid less now that they have a County Administrator responsible for all of their former administrative duties.

The County Council members are currently receiving $68,067.39, but in the future that will be reduced to $31,938.00 for the incoming Council members. Bob Myhr is coming up for election, and if he runs and is elected, he will receive the reduced salary, along with all future members of the Council. In addition to their base pay, they will continue to receive benefits; and of course their staff and administrative needs and costs will continue to be provided by the County.

The SC interviewed all of the elected officials to hear from them what their duties were, and then reviewed the pay scales from other jurisdictions in the state to determine a range of pay for the various positions and duties of each office. They then used this data as a starting point for their discussion.

When SJC Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord had his turn before the SC, he was the only one that started off the interview by stating his office was underpaid, and the monthly salary should be increased to bring it in line with other such positions in the state. The SC has increased his pay from $97,822.85, to $105,159.60

As was expected, the SC found that the other elected officials would receive basically the same amount as they now do, with a modestly adjusted increase from the current $65,801.55, to $67,428.00. However the one exception was the Sheriff, who has been in the odd position of receiving somewhat less than the Under-Sheriff, because the salary of the Under-Sheriff is set by union negotiations with the County, and as a result he makes more than the Sheriff. The Salary Commission determined that the Sheriff will receive 2% more than the Under Sheriff -at least for 2007

The process is not over, for the SC still has to draft their full report and set the "cost of living" per cent increases, but the salaries are now set, and can only be changed by the Salary Commission. The SC is a standing body with staggered four year terms, and while independent of the County Council, they are appointed to their position by the Council.