ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION HEARING
June 2, 2026
PRESENT: County Attorney Scott Twito, Commissioner’s Mark Morse, Mike Waters, Chris White; Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin, Sheriff Mike Linder; Judge David Carter; Citizens Oscar Heinrich, Billie Ruff and Finance Director Jennifer Jones.
Mr. Scott Twito opened the hearing stating this is the second of two public hearings. Mr. Twito noted that 3 spreadsheets have been given to the committee members showing a 2.5%, 3% and 3.5% increase for elected officials. Ms. Jones noted that the Sheriff’s other pay has been increased to $7,502.68. Ms. Jones stated that Sheriff Linder gets $2,000 extra for coroner pay. Ms. Jones stated the reason for the additional pay is we are in negotiations with the deputies and in order to give them additional pay we have to by MCA have the pay flow through Sheriff Linder. We can’t skip Sheriff Linder and give the deputies and extra $1,000, we have to flow everything through him because everything is done through the CBA on a percentage of his salary. In order for us to get to where have negotiated with the deputies we needed to come up with more cash in Sheriff Linder’s salary. We have never had to do this before because of one we have had such a cost-of-living increase and two after COVID we gave our deputies some extra pay because we structured the percentages for the compensation board. Mr. Scott Twito stated that the detectives and sheriff’s deputies need to be at a marketable value to retain the staff that we currently have. Mr. Jeff Martin asked with Sheriff Linder retiring at the end of July will the deputies still be able to get the increase. Ms. Jones stated that yes, the deputies would get the increase.
Ms. Jones noted that at the last meeting Mr. Heinrich asked what the top ten items that public safety pays for. Ms. Jones states that personnel, deputies and detention facility is about 60% of the entire public safety. The rest is medical, insurance, utilities, our 911 contract with the City and food. Medical is going up 1.1 million and the contracts with the deputies and detention facility staff is going up about 2.2 million. Mr. Oscar Heinrich stated he was hoping to have a member of the press here so that they could hear what the numbers are. Mr. Heinrich stated that he was asked by Commissioner Morse about what he would do because this is a burden on our general fund, and he didn’t have an answer. Mr. Heinrich asked what we did for COVID. Ms. Jones stated that the elected officials only took a $1.00 raise, and the deputies received the same raise. Mr. Heinrich suggested that the elected officials freeze their salaries as a good faith effort to show the public that you are willing to do that because they are going out for a jail levy later this year. Commissioner Waters stated he thought that was a legislature thing. Mr. Heinrich disagreed. Mr. Twito asked Mr. Heinrich are you thinking that this would be a symbolic gesture that the elected officials take a $1.00 raise. Mr. Heinrich answered, yes and went on to say that he thinks it should just be the Commissioners. Ms. Jones stated that you can’t carve out certain elected officials. Mr. Twito asked Mr. Heinrich if he thought if a 2.5% or 3% raise for elected officials would send the wrong message. Mr. Heinrich stated he thought 2.5% would be fine. Mr. Twito asked how would you spin that. Mr. Heinrich stated that you can’t spin it, the only thing that would look good is a $1.00 raise to the elected officials. Mr. Heinrich stated that we need the legislature to change things. Commissioner Waters stated he would like to try to get the legislative change. Ms. Billie Ruff stated that from a small business stand – safety is a concern, and I would be comfortable with 2.5%. I agree with Mr. Heinrich and there is a perception that the public will see. Mr. Twito asked if you do 2.5% this year and by the grace of God the mill levy passes what is the makeup year going to look like. Mr. Heinrich stated he would think it would 10%. Mr. Jeff Martin asked if we went with $1.00, Sheriff Linder’s other pay would be much higher to get the deputies what they need. Ms. Jones stated that the difference between 2.5% and 3% for the total package is approximately $5,000. If you go with the 2.5% Sheriff Linder’s other pay would increase more than the $7,275. If you go with a $1.00 the other pay is going increase significantly. Mr. Heinrich stated that the public never sees the spreadsheet, they only look at the bottom line. Mr. Heinrich would like to see a spreadsheet with a $1.00 and look at what the increase to Sheriff Linder’s other pay would be to get the deputies where they need to be. Ms. Jones asked Mr. Twito if she works up another spreadsheet would we need to hold another public hearing. Mr. Twito stated no, because a recommendation needs to be decided on today. Mr. Twito stated that we need to decide on 2.5% or 3%. Mr. Twito stated he would be comfortable with 3%. Judge David Carter stated that he is comfortable with 3%. Mr. Oscar Heinrich made a MOTION to forward a recommendation of 3% to the Commissioners, Judge David Carter seconded. Passed Unanimous.
Mr. Scott Twito asked for any public comments. Hearing no comments Mr. Scott Twito adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
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