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"I think under the situation we are in, the county economically, we should hold the line," Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said.
However, commission members haven't ruled out receiving some additional compensation. They debated the possibility of instituting a cost of living increase at the meeting but postponed a decision. A third meeting will be held once the county commissioners review the state statute and get a legal recommendation.
The salary commission meets only in odd-numbered years and must wrap up any meetings by Dec. 15, per state statute.
At Monday's meeting, the base salaries for the positions up for election next November were kept at the same rate. They are as follows: presiding commissioner ($34,670), county clerk ($49,500), treasurer ($49,500) and collector ($49,500). The salary commission also set the base salary for the recorder of deeds, a new elected position, at $49,500.
Other county officials agreed with Kluesner's assessment. According to Treasurer Gene Cornell, the county is around 8 percent short of its projected sales tax revenue in the 2009 budget. Comparing this year's budget to last year's, the county has a deficit of around $341,000, Cornell said.
While he agreed with the final decision, Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson expressed concerns.
"I feel that it's necessary to do this at this time, however we must recognize in this case where these positions will not receive (a salary increase) in eight years," Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said.
County offices that were up for election two years ago received a 10 percent increase. County employees did not receive a salary increase when the 2009 budget was approved.
Should the salary commission implement a cost of living increase, all county employees would receive the same percentage given to elected offices, according to state statute. The cost of living increase could be set annually if desired by the county commission, based on annual budget projections. Sheriff Kevin Harrison said he favored a cost of living increase that was linked to county employees.
"That way we are no different than anybody else," he said.
The downside about a cost of living increase is each of the county employees would receive a different amount rather than a flat figure being used across the board, officials noted.
Engelage emphasized that the payroll decisions made for elected officials does not favor the current officeholder, but rather those who will win the upcoming elections.
"We're not here to give ourselves a raise," he remarked. "It's the position. We're voting on a position so that anyone running for that position will know what the pay will be for four years."
The salary commission is comprised of the county clerk, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, county commissioners, collector, treasurer, assessor, public administrator and coroner.
All of the elected officials' salaries are set by the commission with the exception of the prosecutor and public administrator which are set by state statute.
