ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION HEARING
Tuesday May 19, 2026
PRESENT: Jeff Martin, Chair Pro-Tem; Commissioner’s Morse, Waters and White; Sheriff Linder; Finance Director Jennifer Jones, Citizens Oscar Heinrich and Billie Ruff. County Attorney Scott Twito was absent.
Chair Martin, Pro-Tem Opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Martin noted that 2 public hearings are required, and the next public hearing will be Tuesday June 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Jennifer Jones handed out 3 scenarios: a 3%, 3.5% and 4%. The County Attorney and Justice Court Judges are tied to the District Court Judges and only get an increase in pay every other year. They were increased last year so there will be no increase for them this year. This year we are focusing on Clerk of Court, Commissioners, Clerk and Recorder, Sheriff and the Treasurer. We usually use Decembers CPI as a gage not just for this comp board but also for non-union, for CBA’s, contract negotiations because that is what sets our rates for our inflationary levy that we get from the State of Montana. That rate is 2.9% and our CPI came in at 2.7% for December, that is the reason for starting with 3%. Obviously, we know that inflation is sitting closer to 3.8%. I would just like it noted that for whatever percentage that you pick for this comp board it flows directly to the deputies. You are not just giving yourselves money you are impacting the deputies. So, if you set it at 2% you are giving the deputies 1.5%. This is set by MCA. Commissioner Morse asked Ms. Jones to walk them through the spreadsheet with the 3% increase. Ms. Jones stated that 3% is on your base and 3% on your longevity. Longevity caps out at 4 years. Commissioner Waters asked about the notes on the spreadsheet regarding other pay. Ms. Jones stated that other pay can be given by resolution or sometimes it is a statute. Ms. Jones stated an example is the Clerk and Recorder’s other pay is because other offices have been consolidated with the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The Commissioner’s receive statutory pay in addition to their base salary of $2,000 per year. Sheriff’s Linders longevity is different, it is 1% of base pay for each year of service. Mr. Oscar Heinrich asked if we are in negotiations with anyone. Ms. Jones stated we are in negotiations with the Detention Offices and the Sheriff’s Deputies. Ms. Jones noted that this decision will impact the deputy’s negotiations and what they will be asking for. Mr. Heinrich asked if Ms. Jones knew what they unions will be asking for. She stated she did not know at this time. Mr. Heinrich asked if we have the money for this. Ms. Jones stated that no we don’t. We need a public safety mill levy. We must pay our deputies because we must provide public safety. Ms. Jones noted that the general fund will have to kick in for support the rest of it. Mr. Heinrich stated this is the first time that question has been answered like that. Ms. Jones stated it should have been answered like that years ago when the Sheriff’s fund started to get depleted, and the general fund needed to help that fund to stay within the safe levels. Ms. Jones noted that we are one of the only counties in the state of Montana that does not have a voted on dedicated public safety mill levy. Commissioner Morse stated that we are hoping to fix that this November. Ms. Billie Ruff asked what the increase was last year. Ms. Jones stated she will look that up and have the information available at the next compensation hearing. Commissioner Morse asked if the elected officials receive a 3% increase, what will the deputies receive. Ms. Jones replied that the deputies would get 2.87% and the reason is because they get 3% of Sheriff Linders pay based on where they are ranked. Commissioner Morse asked if we want the deputies to receive a 3% raise would we look at a 3.5% raise for Elected Officials. Ms. Jones stated that 3.5% would give the deputies a 3.35% increase on average. Ms. Jones stated that the Elected Officials received a 3% increase last year. Ms. Jones stated for the deputies it is an increase of $25,000 for each ½ % increase. Commissioner Morse asked Mr. Heinrich if he had any wisdom for them because he has been on the board for so long. Mr. Heinrich responded, no. Mr. Heinrich stated that this is the first time he has heard that we don’t have the money for the raises and that puts me in a difficult position. Ms. Jones stated we should have been addressing the public safety deficit before COVID. Mr. Heinrich asked what will happen if the levy fails in November. Commissioner Morse stated there is no plan “B”. Commissioner Morse stated that the deputies need a raise. Commissioner Waters stated that we are always in competition with the other law enforcement agencies who can pay more, we try to be as competitive as we can. Mr. Linder stated he has been researching the issue of pay and he stated that Yellowstone County is not keeping up with the State when it comes to paying our deputies and our detention officers. We are down deputies and detention officers. It is difficult because we are $3 - $4 dollars under what other entities pay. Mr. Heinrich asked if we could remove the Sheriff from the comp board. Sheriff Linder stated that we can’t. Mr. Jeff Martin asked if there were any other comments. Mr. Martin stated that he would like to a schedule with 2.5% increase. Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to see a 2.5% schedule, Mr. Heinrich seconded. Passed Unanimous. Ms. Billie Ruff asked what the burden on the general fund is. Ms. Jones stated 3 years ago it was $2 million, then $3.5 million and she stated that this year is looking like $4 million but is not sure. It is not the deputies or the detention officers depleting that fund, it is increase in jail population and medical expenses. Mr. Heinrich would like a list of what the public safety mill levy will cover. Mr. Heinrich asked for the top 10 items it pays for. Mr. Jeff Martin closed the Public Hearing Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to adjourn the Elected Officials Compensation Board, Mr. Heinrich seconded. Passed Unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
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