Government : Compensation Board Recommendations: 28.5% wage increase for Sheriff 10% others

For those of us in the general population, we aren't aware of all the intricacies related to the job of an elected official. At the county level each year the officials present to the Compensation Board a request for a pay raise. Each taking their turn at the table.

There is a link here to watch the proceedings.

The Compensation Board is made up of the following people along with the date of when their term expires.

Attorney Member, Terry Harrington 

Supervisor Member, Karen Mouchka 

Supervisor Member, Nick Volk 

Recorder Member, John Yundt 

Treasurer Member, Janay Bendull 

Auditor Member, Amy Van Wechel 

Sheriff Member, Anders Norgaard (but was represented by Lynn Schoenmann)

Usually the representatives for each elected official make the case for what they believe would be a fair wage increase for the following year. The Compensation Board then votes whether to accept the request, deny it, or come up with a different amount.

Below is the Compensation Board Recommendations:

The Compensation Board voted to recommend the following salaries for the next fiscal year.

Official Current Salary/Recommended Salary for FY23

Auditor (10%) $81,201.56/$89,321.72

Treasurer (10%) $76,793.12/$84,472.43

Recorder (10%) $76,793.12/$84,472.43

Attorney (10%) $115,922.92/$127,515.21

Sheriff (28.5%) $96,236.74/$123,664.21

Supervisor (10%) $43,895.16/$48,284.68

(Chairman) $44,895.16/$49,284.68 plus $1000 stipend

When it comes to the Sheriff's wages, previously, the law read as follows: "the county compensation board shall consider setting the sheriff's salary so that it is comparable to salaries paid to professional law enforcement administrators and command officers of the Iowa state patrol, the division of criminal investigation of the department of public safety, and city police agencies in this state." (Iowa Code 331.907)

A change in the law, calling it the "Back the Blue Bill" signed June 17, 2021 by Governor Kim Reynolds, now states: (the underlined words were crossed out and the bold fond added)

"DIVISION XIII

SHERIFF SALARIES 

Sec. 54. Section 331.907, subsection 1, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows: 

1. The annual compensation of the auditor, treasurer,  recorder, sheriff, county attorney, and supervisors shall be determined as provided in this section. The county compensation board annually shall review the compensation paid to comparable officers in other counties of this state, other states, private enterprise, and the federal government. In setting the salary of the county sheriff,  the county compensation board shall consider setting set the sheriff’s salary so that it is comparable to salaries paid to professional law enforcement administrators and command officers of the state patrol, the division of criminal investigation of the department of public safety, and city police agencies in this state chiefs employed by cities of similar population to the population of the county. The county compensation board shall prepare a compensation schedule for the elective county officers for the succeeding fiscal year. A recommended compensation schedule requires a majority vote of the membership of the county compensation board."

The amount decided was based on an average of the salaries mentioned in the new law.

The change in law will also increase the wages of the Chief Deputy and Sargeant which is based on the salary of the Sheriff. 

The recommendations will go to the Benton County Board of Supervisors for final approval.